Chugach Outlet
July/August 2001, Number 193

New connections up 25%

New service hookups are running ahead of last year. Through June, Chugach had connected a total of 871 new services - about 25 percent more than at the same point in 2000. The number includes both commercial and residential connections, and both underground and overhead services.

As in recent years, much of the growth in Chugach's retail service territory is occurring in South Anchorage.

Across the Municipality of Anchorage, building activity is up from a year ago. Through June the MOA had issued a total of 413 building permits, about 38 percent more than for the same time last year. The overall value of the building permits is up from last year. The total value through June of this year is nearly $318 million, up from the $314.5 million year to date in 2000.

New construction is contributing to a growth in new service in 2001.

Chugach has seen a dramatic increase in the number of {133310 FR} developers applying to do their own electrical installation projects in the last two years.

Applicant construction starts when a customer hires a professional electrical engineer to design a system for a home, multi-plex dwelling or subdivision. Once a design has been agreed upon, the developer chooses a contractor to build the system.

Tariff regulations and codes must be followed, and Chugach reviews and oversees projects through inspections to maintain the quality of the work and to be sure it meets standards. In addition, the developer must agree to certain terms and contract conditions, and agrees to a warranty period for the system.