How SaskPower Could Help Encourage RMs – Emergency Plans
Res #: 25-19M
Number: 25
Year: 2019
Midterm: Yes
Expired: Yes
Responses Received: Yes
Departments: SaskPower
WHEREAS the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and the provincial and federal government have been advocating that RMs take steps to be better prepared for climate change and extreme weather events, which often results in short and long-term power outages and would delay clearing of roads for essential and emergency services, including SaskPower repair crews;
WHEREAS the cost of installing a GenerLink/power disconnects for bona fide farmers is approximately $700, but for all other businesses including RM equipment shops the cost for a 30-50 AMP meter socket GenerLink is between $1,600 to $2,000 or a 100-200 AMP is between $4,000-6,000 for a main disconnect transfer switch, and this work must be done by an electrician.
WHEREAS the extra cost discourages RMs from being properly prepared;
BE IT RESOLVED that SARM lobby SaskPower to make GenerLink/power disconnects available to RM equipment shops at the lowest possible rates, in the best interests of all Saskatchewan residents.
Responses From: SaskPower
January 7, 2020
The resolution suggests that SaskPower provide a low-cost transfer switch option to rural municipalities for connecting back up generators at their equipment shops. The resolution indirectly references the SaskPower Farm Power Centre (FPC) with Standby. The FPC is not a viable solution as it is SaskPower owned equipment and is not CEA approved and cannot simply be swapped for the existing customer metering solution. Utilizing a FPC would require a stand alone FPC location not attached to the building. In addition, it would likely cost rural municipalities more to implement than other third-party options currently available (e.g. GenerLink) and provide less operational functionality.
Many SaskPower customers, including hospitals, schools and water supply and treatment facilities require emergency back-up generation. These customers have installed third-party transfer switches to facilitate operation of emergency back-up generators at their own expense. SaskPower does not plan to subsidize the cost for customers to install this equipment in the future. If you have further questions regarding this issue, please contact Terry Wasylynka Manager, Policy and Administration, Distribution & Customer Services at 306-566-2836.
M.J. (Mike) Marsh – President and CEO
