How does the co-op go about maintaining and replacing power poles?
CCEC uses industry-standard utility practices and Oregon Public Utilities Commission mandated guidelines to systematically survey the condition of our electric system including the utility poles. That means between 10 and 12 percent of the 24,000 poles in our 2,343 sq. mile service territory are tested every year. Any problems identified are scheduled for maintenance or replacement, giving first priority to those poles and geographic areas of the electric system needing the most urgent attention, and within the available budgeted funds and work load. The bottom line is to maintain a safe and reliable electric system. As a cooperative, the costs associated with building and maintaining an electric system are shared by all members through the basic or monthly service charge. Its true, in recent years, budget constraints affected our pole replacement progress for a time, but the Basic Service Charge which pays for this has been adjusted and we are now fully underway with this important jo
