Electric Service Construction

New Service: Construction of a new electric service

Service Improvement: Construction to make changes to an existing electric service

Electric Service Construction Application

Site Sketch

It's easy to start the membership application process. If you are not currently a member of Beltrami Electric Cooperative, you will need to complete a membership application. Please contact our office

• By Phone: call our friendly member service representatives Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at (218) 444-2540 or (800) 955-6083. You will receive a membership form via mail, email or text to complete and return to the cooperative.

• In Person: our office is located at 4111 Technology Dr NW, Bemidji. Walk-in office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

A $50 membership fee is required (unless you are an active member) and calculated deposit (if applicable) are due prior to construction.

Right-of-way easements give Beltrami Electric Cooperative permission to install and maintain electrical equipment on your property. The easement is created by Beltrami Electric Cooperative and must be signed and notarized by all affected property owners.

Please provide a copy of the property Warranty Deed or Reservation/Tribal Land assignment that includes the landowner's names and a legal description of the property. (Tax statements or abstract will not be accepted.)

** If you are requesting changes to your existing electric service, contact our office to determine if an updated easement is required.

The Right-of-Way corridor for your new electric service will be your driveway.  It should have a 10-foot corridor to either side and must be in place before scheduling a staking appointment for your new service construction.

View Right-of-Way corridor example

You must acquire proof of an E911 address for your new electric service from the county or tribal entity in which you live.

Once you have completed the above steps, you are ready to schedule a staking appointment.

Note: Beltrami Electric will need to know where other utilities are/will be located, and your meter base location needs to be marked prior to scheduling your staking appointment. The homeowner or contractor must be available to meet with the staking technician.

Call 218-444-2540 or 800-955-6083 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. to schedule a staking appointment.

Construction Charges for the 2024 Construction Season (Jan. 1, 2024 through Dec. 31, 2024).

* Charges for construction are quoted by the staking technician after your staking appointment and are good for the current construction year only. If the service is not built in 2024, costs are subject to change for 2025.

Single-phase service:

• New Service
  • $1,050 minimum contribution-in-aid of construction costs plus $10.00 per foot of wire.
     
• Service Improvement
  • $1,050 minimum contribution-in-aid of construction costs plus $10.00 per foot for single-phase primary or secondary.
  • $5.00 per foot for a second run of single-phase secondary.
  • Members completing service improvements for the installation of new or additional off-peak electric heating and other managed loads will receive a $300 credit off the minimum service improvement fee and a credit on the footage for up to 200 feet of line. Footage over 200 feet shall be charged $5.00 per foot.
     
• Any charges in addition to the minimum contribution-in-aid of construction costs will be determined at the time of staking.

Three-phase and Non-Standard services:

• Contribution-in-aid of construction costs will be determined after the staking appointment with our technician.

Contribution-in-aid of construction costs: CIAC overs a portion of the costs associated with the service construction, such as the initial application, recording fee, staking appointment, etc. 

Meter Base Requirements

The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry requires an electrical inspection. All wiring performed on the members' side of the meter must be filed and inspected by the Minnesota State Electrical Inspector per state law. Requests for inspection can be accessed online here. If an electrical contractor is performing the work, they will take care of the electrical inspection requirements.

New Electrical Service Minimum Requirements (Printer-friendly)

Meter Loop Ownership

All parties making requests for electric service and all existing members requiring system improvements will be required to furnish and install their own meter loop. This includes the meter base, ground rod and wire, main service panel, circuit breakers, emergency disconnects, PVC or other conduits and fittings, and all wire from the meter base to the service panels. The member will retain ownership of and be responsible to maintain their meter loop and meter base. Beltrami Electric recommends members use a licensed electrical contractor to install and provide this equipment for them.

The cooperative will supply the meter and the secondary wire from the transformer to the meter loop in all cases except those requiring greater than 320-amp service.

Single-phase: 200 amp to 320-amp Services - Meter Bases

The member will be responsible for providing a 4-terminal (Form 2S) compatible, lever bypass meter base.

Note: All wiring must be National Electrical Code (NEC) compliant.

Wiring Troubleshooting:

Wiring problems beyond the metering point are the responsibility of the member and an electrical contractor should be contacted for repairs. However, if the problem involves your off-peak service, please contact the office so the load management technicians may inspect the receivers and equipment.

Upon completion of the above steps, call 218-444-2540 or 800-955-6083 to coordinate your service installation.