The rapid growth in our area is leading to a significant number of new subdivisions. This year alone KEC is working on more than 54 new subdivision projects totaling over 2,100 units. To meet these demands, my crew is responsible for much of the underground new construction work in our service territory. As the foreman, I help organize the jobs and prepare the crew for the work. I also coordinate with builders/developers, contractors, and other utilities, such as water, sewer, communications/cable, and natural gas.
Tell us about the process to get electric utility equipment installed in a subdivision.
It probably isn’t a surprise to anyone in our area that subdivisions large and small are going in all across Kootenai County. The installation of utilities is a big part of the subdivision construction process. The electric “backbone” is used to distribute power throughout the subdivision. The electric backbone process starts when a builder or developer applies for electric service with KEC. A computer-aided design (CAD) drawing of the subdivision is generally included with the application showing the subdivision layout and design. From there, 1 of KEC’s project engineering technicians will take the CAD design and complete a power design for the subdivision.
This includes working with KEC’s engineering department to conduct a load calculation to ensure equipment is appropriately sized for current and future growth. Once the power design is complete, KEC works with the builder/developer and municipalities to agree on the electric equipment placement and street lighting. When those details are finalized, KEC’s team uses computer software to determine the equipment needed to complete the project and the cost. A contract is written between KEC and the builder/developer and KEC’s operations department takes over the construction part of the project.
The construction of the electric backbone in a subdivision is a multi-step process. We start by digging trenches across the future streets and placing conduits during excavation so electric services can run across the streets. Once the streets are paved, a mainline trench is opened and PVC conduit is placed. Other utilities come in around our conduit and then the trench is backfilled. Once the sidewalks are poured, transformers and splice boxes are placed and then we install the wire. The very last thing we do is put in streetlights. By that time, some of the houses are under construction in the subdivision. My crew can spend up to 3 months in a subdivision completing construction.