2008 Irrigation/Load Control Newsletter

New Policy for Temporary Bypass

In recent years, Southern has allowed for temporary bypass or waivers during load control, in order to allow customers to move their pivot for repair purposes. However, in 2007, we noted that the requests for such bypasses had increased significantly, with as many as 64 requests received on our peak day in 2007. When Southern receives a large number of these requests, it affects our ability to achieve peak control necessary to prevent substantial cost penalties to Southern that can in turn cause negative impacts to your rates.

In 2007, Southern’s board examined this issue closely and adopted a new policy that will continue to allow bypasses to occur on an emergency basis, while preventing those calls that are quite possibly unnecessary. As a reminder, the policy is as follows:

NON-FULL LOAD/PARTIAL CONTROL CONDITIONS (ALL GROUPS NOT OFF):
A bypass of load management will be allowed for electrical and mechanical failure to fix the problem. There will be no charge and no restriction to type of well service or timeframe. Seed corn production activities (such as detasseling) do not qualify as electrical or mechanical failures. A $50 service charge will be implemented to allow seed corn growers to move a pivot.

FULL CONTROL: ALL AVAILABLE GROUPS CONTROLLED
A bypass of pivot drive only systems for electrical and mechanical failure can be granted for one hour only for a fee of $100. Seed corn growers asking for a bypass to move a pivot will be allowed the same one hour and will be charged $100. Customers will be notified of their charge when they call in for a request. Charges will be added to the irrigation customer’s account.

Thank you for your cooperation in planning ahead to avoid unnecessary bypass requests. We hope the new policies will assure the maximum benefit from our Load Control Program.

Other stories you'll find inside this edition:
  • Load Control Hours to Include Sundays
    • Sunday Load Control to take effect for all load control rate classes. More>>>
  • Load Control Tampering Prohibited
    • Tampering with a load control box is a violation of the agreement irrigators make with Southern when entering into the Load Control Program. More>>>
  • Speed Up Your Trouble Calls
    • When you call Southern after hours for service problems or load management assistance, you will speak with a representative from our after hours call service. More>>>
  • Plan Now for 2009 Application Deadlines
    • If you are thinking about requesting a new irrigation service for 2009, submit your application as soon as possible. More>>>
  • Load Management Notices
    • Stay up-to-date with the latest information on the load control program. More>>>
  • Load Control Boxes
    • Understand your load control box, and what those lights on the front mean! More>>>