Construction & Development

At Pedernales Electric Cooperative, the success of our members’ new construction projects is very important to us. Please review the following information for a successful electrical installation.

The information on this page is provided for those constructing facilities for temporary or permanent service within the PEC service area. Establishing new electric service is a joint effort between the applicant and PEC. In general, PEC is responsible for bringing power to the site, for installing the meter in the socket, and for energizing the service. The applicant is responsible for, where applicable but not limited to, payment for PEC construction, obtaining permits, vegetation clearing, all civil installations, easements, and inspections.

Planning a bigger project?

If you need assistance planning a residential subdivision or commercial development project, please contact the planning office closest to your site to discuss your project needs.

Inflation, supply chain, and associated cost increases

External factors have driven up the costs of new construction for PEC and other utilities, while supply chain disruptions have caused delays in receiving materials that may lead to unavoidable delays. Some of the factors affecting prices include:

Inflation: The economy as a whole has experienced inflation, which has impacted the cost of goods and services across industries.
Supply chain disruptions: The pandemic disrupted global supply chains, leading to continued shortages of raw materials, components, and finished products, which have driven up prices.
Increased demand: As economies have recovered, demand for utilities and infrastructure projects has surged. High demand further strains supply chains and raises costs.
Skilled labor shortage: The utility industry faces a shortage of skilled workers, which drives up labor costs. Retirements, attrition, and lack of new talent entering the field are contributing to this challenge.
Raw material prices: The cost of raw materials like steel, copper, and concrete has risen significantly.
Transportation costs: Shipping and logistics costs have surged due to fuel prices and supply chain disruptions, which are passed on to utilities.
Higher interest rates: Rising interest rates mean higher borrowing costs for utilities, and stricter lending criteria can limit access to capital, affecting project execution and costs.

Meter socket requirements

PEC-approved meter sockets are not required to be stamped by the manufacturer with the PEC logo. Meter sockets must be UL-approved and meet the amperage requirements for your service.

PEC is in compliance with the National Electrical Code (NEC) and the National Electrical Safety Code (NESC). For your protection, PEC urges you or your electrician to use only NEC-approved procedures and materials.
PEC does not inspect temporary meter loops or temporary service construction and assumes no liability for any damages or injuries from their construction. PEC will refuse service where a known hazardous condition exists and/or if connections do not meet the specifications outlined in the following documents. Some jurisdictions require that they inspect temporary meter loops prior to PEC energizing.
We urge you to use a qualified electrician to prevent safety hazards, additional costs, and delays. PEC requires that all construction meets or exceeds these specifications prior to service connection.

If you have any questions, please call our district engineering/planning group at 877-372-0391 and select the district office closest to your construction location.