Definitions

Abnormal soil conditions
Soil conditions that make utility distribution facility construction more difficult than normal and requires special equipment. Examples are marshes, bogs, deep sand, rocky soil, etc.
Brushing
Cutting all trees, bushes and brush up to 3" in diameter along a minimum 10' wide path for planned electric distribution facilities installation. Cut debris is left at the site.
Contribution in aid of construction
The payment made to cover any costs for electric distribution and natural gas main exceeding customer's allowance.
Cost feasible line extension
An extension of natural gas distribution facilities that is cost effective per rules of Public Service Commission of Wisconsin.
Design drawings
Engineering drawings detailing planned location for electric, natural gas or lighting distribution facilities construction.
Difficult accessibility
Difficult locations to access with distribution facility construction equipment necessary for installation. (Steep terrain, fencing, streams, etc.)
Distribution facilities
All wire, cables and/or piping, trenches, connection equipment and enclosures used to extend electric or natural gas system from existing facilities to point of connection with service facilities in a new development.
Easement location
Drawing of planned electric, gas, telephone, and cable TV utility easement locations and sticker easement.
Electric distribution
All primary and secondary voltage wire or cables and related supports, trenches, connection equipment and enclosures, and control equipment used to extend electric distribution system from existing facilities to point of connection with service facilities.
Embedded credits
A construction credit (refund) given a customer requesting an extension that reflects the average cost of facilities.
Excess distribution facility
Distribution facilities that are in excess of standard utility design and construction or follow a route different than the most direct route, as determined by We Energies. Excess distribution facilities are not eligible for initial embedded credit but are considered refundable as other customers connect to extension.
Extreme rocky conditions
Rocky conditions that require blasting to make space available for distribution facilities installation.
Grade Certification form
A We Energies form the customer signs to verify the site designated for electric distribution facilities installation is within four inches of final grade.
Hotlining
Diggers Hotline in Wisconsin or Miss Dig in Michigan must be contacted at least three days prior to construction of electric and natural gas distribution facilities, allowing time to mark all public utility facility installations in planned construction location.
Joint installations
When possible, electric, natural gas or lighting distribution facilities can be installed in same trench as phone and cable TV facilities.
Line extensions
Service extension from utility distribution facility to utility meter.
Lot corners
Survey stakes placed at all corners of each lot in a development, necessary for proper placement of electric and natural gas facilities for each lot within development.
Natural gas distribution
All piping and its supports, trenches, connection equipment and control equipment used to extend natural gas distribution system from existing facilities to point of connection with service facilities.
Permits
Permissions for placement of electric and natural gas facilities from federal, state and municipal agencies.
Phases
Some developments are constructed in more than one stage. We Energies needs to know the stage/phase of development for which application is made to ensure design of proper section.
Planning Locate
A locate request with Diggers Hotline (Wisconsin) or Miss Dig (Michigan) for a project in planning phase to determine location of development site’s existing facilities.
Privately owned underground facilities
Any equipment or facility owned by an individual or developer, not owned by a public utility. These include buried fuel tanks, septic systems, private wells and water lines, etc.
Quote
Final documented price for utility distribution system installation. Does NOT include estimates provided prior to final design.
Relocation of existing electric facilities
Any electric distribution facilities currently installed outside or inside the development area that need to be moved to construct the development or roads to or within development.
Restoration/Restore
Site clean up after construction of electric and natural gas facilities. We Energies does not restore site after construction. Site is left as level as possible but excess materials caused from excavation (excess soil, rocks, stumps, etc.) will not be removed from site.
Right of way
Customer-furnished easement for installation of electric or natural gas distribution facilities located on private property. Customer is responsible for cost of right-of-way easements and permits necessary for installation, maintenance or replacement of distribution facilities. Customer is responsible for clearing and grading property prior to construction. There are three right-of-way types: (1) Easement - requires about three weeks lead time. (2) Permission - requires about 10 working days lead time. (3) Notification - requires about 10 working days lead time. Decision concerning type of right-of-way to obtain is at We Energies’ discretion.
Risers
An underground cable connected to distribution system on top of a utility pole, which runs down along pole and into ground to feed underground system. Might be needed at development entrance.
Road crossings
Underground distribution facilities installed under roadway for purpose of supplying distribution to lots on opposite side of road to where distribution system is being installed.
Service laterals
Underground distribution line that provides electric or natural gas to customer's facility.
Set backs
Excess facilities requested by customer that are in excess of standard utility design of distribution system.
Sticker easement
rovided by We Energies for providing an easement for electric distribution system installation. Easement also can be provided to telephone and cable TV company on form. Easement must be attached to final development plans. This is a legal document. An easement is granted by owner of private property and allows a third party - We Energies - to have facilities on private property. Easements are registered with appropriate governmental office to become a legal part of property title.
Subdivision control ordinances
Each municipality has rules and regulations for new developments that vary between municipalities. Ordinances may require electric and natural gas distribution systems be installed within development.
Switch fuse units
Piece of utility equipment holding switching devices for underground cable systems as well as overload protection fuses.
Transformer
Utility equipment used to transfer energy from one circuit to another.
Utility easement
This is a legal document. An easement is granted by owner of private property and allows a third party - We Energies - to have facilities on private property. Easements are recorded with affected county’s register of deeds to become a legal part of property title.