28 Jan, 2021
Getting power installed on bare land, Part I
So, after our 3rd visit back to our land in October 2020, we left with an application submitted to the power company and we were waiting to hear back. With snow on the ground, and winter looming, the ground was expected to freeze and stay frozen. Well, work doesn’t continue when the ground is frozen. Another consideration is that when the ground thaws, it gets wet and soft and there are restrictions on the type of heavy equipment that can be driven on those roads which means the earliest work can start is April 1st.
Since then, this is what happened.
I expected to not hear from anyone for awhile since I was told we were 80+ applications deep. Surprise! I got a call late November from the engineer saying he was planning a visit. I gave him directions to the lot since there was no signage to mark the road and a general map of the property where I planned to build my house. A few days later, he called me back. The existing power pole is across the street from our property. He proposed an additional pole to be installed across from it which would be at the corner of our property. From the proposed new power pole, I measured approximately 500ft to where I would like the power box. We would have to wait until Spring 2021 when ground is thawed and cleared for large trucks to pass. The engineer recommended that once we received the quote from the office, we wait to sign until we walk the property in the spring with him in case there needed to be changes.
We will dig from the new pole to the meter site and remove any tree stumps along the way. We have a small excavator that we transport from CA to ID to do the job. Our Takeuchi TB016 excavator is small enough to take apart and fit into our 12’ box trailer. The ground in Idaho is easy to dig, sandy soil…not the hardpan granite dirt like our CA home…and tree stumps come out much easier. Every time we return, we are surprised to see trees just blown over, stumps and all – we plan to remove all trees close enough to fall on our buildings and clear a wide perimeter.
Following week, early December 2020, we received our agreement from the power company. These were instructions provided based on the engineering visit:
“Meter Base/Pedestal Installation:
Your job has been engineered for a 200-amp meter base. It is the member’s responsibility of their electrician’s to provide the meter entrance and have it set, grounded, and inspected. If a licensed electrician is doing the work, they will issue the required electrical permit.
Right of Way Overhead and Underground clearing:
Prior to construction, you will be required to clear the rights-of-Way to NLI specifications. For any overhead high voltage (primary) lines, you will need to clear a corridor 40 ft wide (20 ft each side of staked centerline). For overhead lines, all brush and trees cut shall be close to the ground as possible. No high stumps or brush stubs. For overhead secondary voltage lines only (480 nomial volts or less), a minimum width of 10 ft will be required. For all underground lines, you will be required to clear and remove trees and stumps (including tree root wads) from a corridor 20 ft wide (10 ft each side of staked centerline)…Tress, logs, limbs, and brush shall be cut and cleared out of the Rights of Way to provide access. Cut trees, brush, logs and chips should be left where they shall not impair irrigation ditches, roadside drainage or defeat access.”
Total estimate cost $11,076.03 over and above the $750 application fee already paid.
Our next move is to find a licensed electrician and wait until the ground thaws and roads are cleared for the trucks necessary to set the power pole. Facebook forums such as “Moving to North Idaho” have been an invaluable resource so far to find local workers and services.
The hardest part is managing this from afar. We want to be an active part of all aspects of this project. We have to arrange for time off from work to be there. Travelling time and cost is a lot. Flying there would be faster and easier, but bringing our equipment that we need to work on the property is invaluable.
Our last trip with the truck, I rented a car so that we would have a zoom-zoom car for general travel because a dually truck is harder to maneuver and find parking for. And, I thought having local plates on our vehicle would be better. The rental car company gave me a car with CA plates, which sort of defeated the purpose, but it didn’t matter. North Idaho has been welcoming. We have not had any negative feedback from driving a car with CA plates or telling people we are from CA.
As more and more people move into the area and keep driving prices higher, that may change. Living in the mountains in CA, I understand the mindset. Us country folk welcome the tourists for bringing their money, but at the same time, want to keep the country just that – country. As more city folk move up, they bring with them their city values and habits. I understand how Idaho feels...but we are escaping California, we are Conservatives with conservative values. We don’t want to change Idaho, we like it just the way it is…which is why we are moving there!
Keep checking back for future updates!
Comments