Optional facilities are facilities required by a Customer that are different from standard distribution facilities which NB Power would normally provide. Examples of optional facilities are:

• Underground facilities, covered in Section I - Extension of Facilities - Optional Underground;
• back lot service;
• Residential Service Customers requesting three-phase service;
• choice of a route different from that selected by NB Power

The optional facilities charge equals the total cost of the facilities less the NB Power investment for the equivalent standard overhead facilities.

The NB Power investment is equal to the total estimated cost of the equivalent standard overhead facilities less any customer contribution towards those facilities.

If a Customer requests the use of materials not normally stocked by NB Power, the charges for purchase, installation and maintenance must be borne by the Customer; the Customer must also retain ownership.

As an exception to this, NB Power will contribute towards the cost of a dry type transformer an amount equal to the charge for an oil-filled transformer that would normally have been supplied.

A maintenance charge is a nonrefundable contribution determined by NB Power to recover above normal operating, maintenance and replacement costs resulting from a Customer's request for optional facilities. These charges are specified in Section O - Fees and Charges, Optional Facilities Charges.