Shelby Electric Cooperative (SEC) is excited to announce that there will be high-speed Fiber-To-The-Home internet access available in some of our service areas in the coming months. The new fiber optic facilities are owned and operated by SEC, along with its subsidiary ShelbyFiber. SEC is working with partners at the local, state, and federal level to bring this service to its members where most providers are reluctant to build. Much like electricity in the early days of the Co-op, access to a quality, fiber-based internet service has quickly moved from a luxury to a necessity. These new fiber optic facilities will not only allow for a quality, affordable home internet option, they will also provide opportunities to begin modernizing the electric grid with new smart grid capabilities. The first phase and build out is in Macon County.
If you are interested in ShelbyFiber, click here to enter your service address on our Start New Service page and we will notify you when it is available in your area.
Easement FAQs
Q. How will I know where the lines will be placed on my parcel?
A. Each easement will include a description and a map of the proposed location of the new fiber line. In most cases, the new fiber line will be attached 18 inches below the lowest electric line on the existing utility poles.
Q. Who do I talk to if I have questions about my easement?
A. You may email questions to easements@shelbyelectric.coop, or you are always welcome to call into the office, 800-677-2612 or 217-774-3986 to speak with us. We will also have field representatives available to schedule a time to meet with you onsite if necessary.
Q. If you already have an easement, why are you asking for new easements?
A. In most places we have existing easements and many of them date back several years ago when Shelby Electric Cooperative (SEC) first began building electric lines. While those easements are still valid, SEC felt that now was a good time to update the language and narrow the defined area of our easements for everyone’s benefit.
Q. Why are you not offering any compensation for the easement?
A. SEC has always had a policy that as a non-profit cooperative, we don’t offer compensation for easements. To control costs for our members, we ask that easements be granted without compensation and as consideration for membership. Economic studies have also shown that access to a fiber-to-the-home internet service adds value to rural properties and also benefits communities.
Q. What happens if my property is damaged during construction?
A. While SEC strives to minimize the impact to property during construction some areas will be affected. In cases where there is crop damage, we will compensate for the production lost that year. We will restore the surface of the property to grade and repair any damaged drainage tile.
Q. Am I required to have my signed easement notarized?
A. Yes, the easement will have to be signed and notarized before it can be recorded with the appropriate county office. We have office staff and field representatives that are certified notaries to help with this process, but you are welcome to use any certified notary and mail the easement into our office.
Typical Single-phase Construction with Fiber
· The average SEC span length is 280 feet.
· Ground clearances are listed above for various common pole heights.
· Ground clearances will vary as span lengths increase and decrease.
· SEC has adopted a 40 ft pole as the minimum standard pole for all pole replacements.
· 35 ft poles will be left in place where the fiber cable still meets code for ground clearance (15.5 feet in most places)
· Most 30 ft poles across the project will be replaced.
· During the Macon County Fiber build, over 1,600 poles will be replaced.