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Commission updates steam service policies: installations and approved materials modernized
Summary
Commissioners approved two updates to steam customer policies — removing a requirement that customers fully fund manholes for new steam installations and updating allowed service materials — aiming to align policy with current practice.
The Hibbing Public Utilities Commission approved updates to two steam customer policies on Jan. 21, bringing decades-old procedures into alignment with current field practice.
Paul (steam services/engineering staff) told commissioners the steam service installation policy previously required a new customer to pay for a full manhole and associated concrete and rebar; the updated policy removes that customer-paid requirement so the utility will provide the necessary tap and align steam service installations with other utility service practices. "That was removed. We also took out some language that doesn't apply anymore and aligned it more with what the services are that we have now," Paul said.
Commissioners also approved an update to the steam service materials policy. Paul said crews now use a mix of materials — including copper in addition to black pipe — and engineering staff will continue to evaluate alternate materials where appropriate. The policy revisions do not impose new costs on customers, Paul said, and were presented as routine updates to policies that were roughly 20 years old.
Motion by Commissioner Stokes, support by Commissioner Sandstedt, carried to approve the steam installation policy update; a separate motion by Commissioner Stokes, support by Commissioner Sandstedt, approved the steam service material update. Commissioners asked staff to review condensate return line policies for residential and commercial customers and return with proposed updates at a future meeting.
Staff said the policy changes are administrative updates to reflect current practices and do not change customer financial obligations in most cases.
