dcrodriguez/Code-of-Virginia huggingface dataset:
Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 10 (Heat, Light, Power, Water and Other Utility Companies Generally)
§ 56-236.2. Suspension of service to sewerage system.
No public utility furnishing heat, light or power to a sewerage system, after receiving notice pursuant to § 56-261 or § 56-265.11:1 from the person operating such system, may suspend service for nonpayment without giving at least ten days' advance notice in writing to the Commission and the Director of the Department of Environmental Quality.

2000, c. 183.

Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 10 (Heat, Light, Power, Water and Other Utility Companies Generally)
§ 56-237. How changes in rates effected; notice required; changes to be indicated on schedules.
No change shall be made in any schedule required to be filed pursuant to § 56-236, including schedules of joint rates, except after 30 days' notice to the Commission, in such manner as the Commission may require, and to the public, in such manner as prescribed in § 56-237.1, and all such changed rates, tolls, charges, rules, and regulations shall be plainly indicated upon existing schedules or by filing new schedules in lieu thereof not less than 30 days prior to the time the same are to take effect; provided, that the Commission may, in particular cases, authorize or prescribe less time in which changes may be made; and provided further that, in the case of water companies, the notice to the public shall set forth the proposed rates and charges.

Code 1919, § 4066; 1918, p. 674; 1924, p. 539; 1927, p. 123; 1954, c. 298; 1976, c. 763; 2011, cc. 738, 740.
Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 10 (Heat, Light, Power, Water and Other Utility Companies Generally)
§ 56-237.1. Notification of intent to seek rate change in schedules required to be filed under § 56-236.
A. Every public utility, other than a public utility providing water or sewer service, that indicates upon existing required schedules, or upon new schedules required to be filed in lieu thereof, changes in rates, tolls, charges, rules and regulations, shall cause to have published, once a week for four successive weeks, in one or more newspapers in circulation in its franchise area and approved by the Commission, a notice of its intention to change its rates, tolls, charges, rules and regulations. Every public utility providing water or sewer service that indicates upon existing required schedules, or upon new schedules required to be filed in lieu thereof, changes in rates, tolls, charges, rules and regulations, shall cause to have published at least once in one or more newspapers in circulation in its franchise area and approved by the Commission, a notice of its intention to change its rates, tolls, charges, rules and regulations. The last such publication shall appear no less than 30 days prior to the time any changed rates, tolls, charges, rules and regulations shall take effect. This notice shall be in such form and contain such information as prescribed by the Commission.

B. Every public utility that indicates upon existing required schedules, or upon new schedules required to be filed in lieu thereof, changes in rates, tolls, charges, rules, and regulations shall mail to each of its customers who receive periodic statements of charges by mail or send electronically to each of its customers who receive periodic statements of charges electronically, along with its periodic invoice, bill, or other statement advising the customer of its charges, a notice of its intention to change its rates, tolls, charges, rules, and regulations. This notice shall be mailed or sent electronically no less than 30 days prior to the time any such changed rate, toll, charge, rule, and regulation shall take effect. This notice shall be in such form and contain such information as prescribed by the Commission.

C. Except for public utilities providing water or sewer service, the Commission may dispense with either or both of the requirements contained in subsections A and B if either or both such requirements are not necessary to provide adequate notice to all of the public utilities' customers. The Commission may prescribe additional requirements for notification to a public utility's customers of its intention to change its rates, tolls, charges, rules, and regulations.

1976, c. 763; 2011, cc. 738, 740; 2016, cc. 191, 283.
Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 10 (Heat, Light, Power, Water and Other Utility Companies Generally)
§ 56-237.2. Public hearings on protests or objections to rate changes.
Whenever pursuant to § 56-237 there shall be filed with the Commission any schedule required to be filed under § 56-236 stating a change of rate, toll or charge and a protest or objection thereto is filed by or on behalf of the lesser of 150 or five percent of the customers or consumers or other persons subject to such rate, toll or charge, the Commission shall upon reasonable notice conduct a public hearing concerning the lawfulness of the proposed rate, toll or charge. At any such hearing involving a change of such rate, toll or charge, the burden of proof shall be upon the applicant therefor to demonstrate that the proposed change is just and reasonable. The Commission shall prescribe all necessary rules and regulations for the conduct of such hearing, which rules shall afford ample opportunity for participation or representation by persons affected by such change.

1977, c. 436; 1995, c. 260; 2011, cc. 738, 740.
Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 10 (Heat, Light, Power, Water and Other Utility Companies Generally)
§ 56-238. Suspension of proposed rates, etc.; investigation; effectiveness of rates pending investigation and subject to bond; fixing reasonable rates, etc.
The Commission, either upon complaint or on its own motion, may suspend the enforcement of any or all of the proposed rates, tolls, charges, rules or regulations for schedules required to be filed under § 56-236 of any public utility, except an investor-owned electric public utility, for a period not exceeding 150 days, or if the public utility is an investor-owned water utility not subject to Chapter 10.2:1 (§ 56-265.13:1 et seq.) for a period not exceeding 180 days, from the date of filing, and the Commission shall suspend the enforcement of all of the proposed rates, tolls, charges, rules or regulations of an investor-owned electric public utility until the Commission's final order in the proceeding, during which times the Commission shall investigate the reasonableness or justice of such proposed rates, tolls, charges, rules and regulations and thereupon fix and order substituted therefor such rates, tolls, charges, rules and regulations as shall be just and reasonable. The Commission's final order in such a proceeding involving an investor-owned electric public utility that is filed after January 1, 2010, shall be entered not more than nine months after the date of filing, at which time the suspension period shall expire, and any revisions in rates or credits so ordered shall take effect not more than 60 days after the date of the order. Notice of the suspension of any such proposed rate, toll, charge, rule or regulation shall be given by the Commission to the public utility, prior to the expiration of the 30 days' notice to the Commission and the public heretofore provided for. If the proceeding has not been concluded and an order made at the expiration of the suspension period, after notice to the Commission by the public utility making the filing, the proposed rates, tolls, charges, rules or regulations shall go into effect. Where increased rates, tolls or charges are thus made effective, the Commission shall, by order, require the public utility to furnish a bond, to be approved by the Commission, to refund any amounts ordered by the Commission, to keep accurate accounts in detail of all amounts received by reason of such increase, and upon completion of the hearing and decision, to order such public utility to refund, with interest at a rate set by the Commission, the portion of such increased rates, tolls or charges by its decision found not justified. The Commission shall prescribe all necessary rules and regulations to effectuate the purposes of this section on or before September 1, 1980. This section shall not apply to proceedings conducted pursuant to § 56-245 or 56-249.6.

Code 1919, § 4066; 1918, p. 674; 1924, p. 539; 1927, p. 123; 1980, c. 446; 2010, cc. 1, 2; 2011, cc. 738, 740; 2017, c. 619.
Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 10 (Heat, Light, Power, Water and Other Utility Companies Generally)
§ 56-239. Appeal from action of Commission.
The public utility whose schedules shall have been so filed or the Commonwealth or other party in interest or party aggrieved may appeal to the Supreme Court from such decision or order as the Commission may finally enter. Upon the granting of such appeal the Supreme Court may award or refuse a writ of supersedeas, and, if a writ of supersedeas be awarded, it may suspend the operation of the action appealed from in whole or in part. Alternatively, the Supreme Court in its discretion may authorize putting into effect the schedule of rates so filed and suspended by the Commission or the schedule of rates existing at the time of the filing of the schedule upon which the investigation and hearing have been had, or require the inauguration of the schedule of rates as ordered by the Commission, until the final disposition of the appeal. But, prior to the final reversal of the order appealed from by the Supreme Court, no action of the Commission prescribing or affecting rates or charges shall be delayed, or suspended in its operation, by reason of any appeal by the party whose rates or charges are affected, or by reason of any proceeding resulting from such appeal until a suspending bond payable to the Commonwealth has been executed and filed with the Commission with such conditions, in such penalty, and with such surety thereon as the Commission, subject to review by the Supreme Court, may deem sufficient. In any appeal from action of the Commission prescribing or affecting the rates or charges of a public utility, such bond, or if no bond is required, the order of the Supreme Court, shall expressly provide for the prompt refunding to the parties entitled thereto of all charges which may have been collected or received, pending the appeal, in excess of those fixed, or authorized by the final decision on appeal, with interest from the date of the collection thereof. But no bond shall be required of the Commonwealth. Any bond required under this section shall be enforced in the name of the Commonwealth before the Commission or before any court having jurisdiction, and the process and proceedings thereon shall be as provided by law upon bonds of like character required to be taken by courts of record of this State.

Code 1919, § 4066; 1918, p. 674; 1924, p. 539; 1927, p. 124; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 31.
Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 10 (Heat, Light, Power, Water and Other Utility Companies Generally)
§ 56-240. Proposed rates, etc., or changes thereof, not suspended effective subject to later change by Commission; refund or credit; appeal; investor-owned public utilities required to show increase complies with § 56-235.2.
Unless the Commission so suspends such schedule of rates, tolls, charges, rules and regulations or changes thereof that are required to be filed under § 56-236, the same shall go into effect as originally filed by any public utility as defined in § 56-232, upon the date specified in the schedule subject, however, to the power of the Commission, upon investigation thereafter, to fix and order substituted therefor such rate or rates, tolls, charges, rules, or regulations, as shall be just and reasonable, as provided in §§ 56-235 and 56-247. The Commission may thereupon, in its discretion, order such public utility to refund or give credit promptly to the parties entitled thereto any portion or all of the charges originally filed by the public utility which may have been collected or received in excess of those charges finally fixed and ordered substituted therefor by the Commission. Rates of any utility found to be operating in violation of § 56-265.3 may be deemed subject to refund by the Commission, on its own motion, as of the date of the Commission's order finding that the utility was operating in violation of § 56-265.3. Such rates shall then be interim in nature and subject to refund until such time as the Commission has determined the appropriateness of the rates. Any amount of the rates found excessive by the Commission shall be subject to refund with interest, as may be ordered by the Commission.

From any action of the Commission in prescribing rates, refunds, credits, tolls, charges, rules and regulations or changes thereof that are required to be filed under § 56-236, an appeal may be taken by the corporation whose rates, refunds, credits, tolls, charges, rules and regulations or changes thereof are affected, or by the Commonwealth, or by any person deeming himself aggrieved by such action.

No such rate increase shall go into effect under the provisions of this section for an investor-owned gas, telephone or electric public utility unless such public utility has filed with its schedule information and data designed to show that any increase complies with the just and reasonable requirements of § 56-235.2, and unless based thereon the Commission finds a reasonable probability that the increase will be justified upon full investigation and hearing. The Commission is authorized to promulgate any rules necessary to implement this provision.

Code 1919, § 4066; 1918, p. 675; 1924, p. 540; 1927, pp. 124, 125; 1971 Ex. Sess., c. 31; 1973, c. 262; 1979, c. 249; 1998, c. 63; 2011, cc. 738, 740.
Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 10 (Heat, Light, Power, Water and Other Utility Companies Generally)
§ 56-241. Rates of telephone companies.
The power of the Commission over the rates of telephone companies shall be as defined (i) by this chapter or (ii) by § 56-481.1.

Code 1919, § 4066; 1918, p. 676; 1924, p. 540; 1927, p. 125; 1964, c. 195; 1973, c. 262; 1984, c. 721; 2011, cc. 738, 740.

Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 10 (Heat, Light, Power, Water and Other Utility Companies Generally)
§ 56-241.1. Flat and measured telephone rates; certain rates prohibited.
Every telephone company which offers dial tone line or substantially equivalent local service shall offer to its residential and business customers at least one offering of such service consisting of a single dial tone line, including associated usage, for the purpose of two-way voice communications within a local calling area at a flat rate unless there was no telephone company offering such a class of service at a flat rate in the local calling area on January 1, 1979. No residential or business customer shall be forced to accept local measured rate service for calling within a local calling area based on the number of calls, length of call, distance or time of day, not in effect on January 1, 1979. Nothing contained herein shall prohibit the Commission from approving the voluntary tariff of any telephone company based on the number of calls, length of call, distance or time of day.

1979, c. 91; 1985, c. 389; 1996, c. 378.

Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 10 (Heat, Light, Power, Water and Other Utility Companies Generally)
§ 56-241.2. Approval of rates for resale of telephone service.
Notwithstanding the provisions of § 56-241.1, the Commission may approve a mandatory tariff based only on the number of calls for any telephone company if such tariff is limited to the rates charged for the resale of local business service or for the providing of coin telephone service by a person other than the telephone company.

1985, c. 389.
Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 10 (Heat, Light, Power, Water and Other Utility Companies Generally)
§ 56-242. Temporary reduction of rates.
Whenever the Commission, pending an investigation had upon its own motion, or upon complaint, is of the opinion and so finds after an examination of any report or reports, annual or otherwise, filed with the Commission by any public utility, together with any other facts or information which the Commission may acquire or receive from an investigation of the books, records, or papers, or from an inspection of the property of such public utility, that the net income of such public utility, after reasonable deductions for depreciation and other proper and necessary reserves, is in excess of the amount required for a reasonable return upon the value of such public utility's property, used and useful in rendering its service to the public, and if the Commission is of the opinion and so finds in such cause that a hearing to determine all of the issues involved in a final determination of rates of service will require more than ninety days of elapsed time, the Commission may, in case of such emergency, enter a temporary order, after not less than ten days' notice to such public utility of its contemplated action and affording to it reasonable opportunity to introduce evidence and to be heard thereon, fixing a temporary schedule of rates, which order shall be forthwith binding upon such public utility. But the Commission's power to order reductions in rates and charges of any public utility by means of such a temporary order, is limited to reductions which will absorb not more than the amount found by the Commission to be in excess of the amount of income, as determined by the Commission, necessary to provide a reasonable return on the value of the property of such public utility as found by the Commission as aforesaid.

1934, p. 365; Michie Code 1942, § 4071a.

Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 10 (Heat, Light, Power, Water and Other Utility Companies Generally)
§ 56-243. Duration of such temporary reduction.
No temporary order made under § 56-242 shall remain in force or effect for a longer period than nine months from its effective date, and a further period not to exceed three months in addition if so ordered by the Commission.

1934, p. 366; Michie Code 1942, § 4071a.
Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 10 (Heat, Light, Power, Water and Other Utility Companies Generally)
§ 56-244. Increase to make up for losses due to excessive temporary reduction.
If upon a final disposition of the issues involved in a proceeding mentioned in § 56-242, the rates or charges as finally determined by the Commission, or the court having jurisdiction of the subject matter, are in excess of the rates and charges prescribed in any temporary order issued in such proceeding, then such public utility shall be permitted, over such reasonable time as the Commission shall fix, to amortize and recover, by means of a temporary increase over and above the rates and charges finally determined, such sum as shall represent the difference between the gross income obtained from the rates and charges prescribed in such temporary reduction order, and the gross income which would have obtained, during the period such temporary reduction order was in effect, based upon the same volume, from the rates and charges finally determined.

1934, p. 366; Michie Code 1942, § 4071a.
Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 10 (Heat, Light, Power, Water and Other Utility Companies Generally)
§ 56-245. Temporary increase in rates.
Whenever the Commission, upon petition of any public utility, is of the opinion and so finds, after an examination of the reports, annual or otherwise, filed with the Commission by such public utility, together with any other facts or information which the Commission may acquire or receive from an investigation of the books, records or papers, or from an inspection of the property of such public utility, or upon evidence introduced by such public utility, that an emergency exists, and that the public utility has made a preliminary showing of all the elements of § 56-235.2 sufficient to demonstrate a reasonable probability that the increase will be justified upon full investigation and hearing and is of the opinion and so finds that a hearing to determine all of the issues involved in the final determination of the rates or service will require more than ninety days of elapsed time, the Commission may, in case of such emergency, enter a temporary order fixing a temporary schedule of rates, which order shall be forthwith binding upon such utility and its customers; provided, however, that when the Commission orders an increase in the rates or charges of any public utility by means of such temporary order, it shall require such utility to enter into bond in such amount and with such security as the Commission shall approve, payable to the Commonwealth, and conditioned to insure prompt refund by such public utility, to those entitled thereto, of all amounts which such public utility shall collect or receive in excess of such rates and charges as may be finally fixed and determined by the Commission; and provided, further, however, that no such temporary order shall remain in force or effect for a longer period than nine months from its effective date, and a further period not to exceed three months in addition if so ordered by the Commission.

1934, p. 366; Michie Code 1942, § 4071a; 1973, c. 262; 1977, c. 336.
Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 10 (Heat, Light, Power, Water and Other Utility Companies Generally)
§ 56-245.1. Meters to be kept in good working condition; defective meters.
(1) Any person, firm, corporation, county, city, town or association, hereinafter referred to as person, who or which furnishes water, gas or electricity to the premises of another and employs a meter to determine the quantity of water, gas or electricity furnished to such premises and bases its charges thereon shall keep meter in good working condition.

(2) When any such person is notified in writing that any such meter is broken or not functioning properly he shall promptly investigate the matter and, if the meter is found to be defective, repair or replace the meter within thirty days of such notice. If the meter is found to be in good working condition, a written report of such determination shall be mailed or delivered to the affected customer within thirty days of such notice. If any defective meter is not repaired or replaced as provided herein, or if the required report is not made, the affected customer shall not be required to pay for the service furnished through the meter, after the expiration of the thirty-day period until the repair or replacement is made, or until the required report is made, and his service shall not be terminated for failure to pay under such circumstances.

1972, c. 71.

Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 10 (Heat, Light, Power, Water and Other Utility Companies Generally)
§ 56-245.1:1. Customers to be notified about nuclear emergency evacuation plans.
At least once in every calendar year after July 1, 1980, each electric public utility which owns, operates or maintains a nuclear generating facility in the Commonwealth shall publish in a newspaper having general circulation within a ten-mile radius of such facility, a statement or notice prepared or approved by the Department of Emergency Management setting forth the evacuation and other protective actions to be taken by persons or concerns located within such ten-mile radius, in the event of a nuclear radiation emergency resulting from the maintenance, operation or failure of such nuclear facility. After the publication of the first statement or notice required hereby, subsequent statements or notices shall be published at time intervals not exceeding twelve months. The provisions hereof shall not be effective when federal laws or regulations providing for yearly dissemination of similar information to members of the public located within a ten-mile radius of any such nuclear generating facility take effect.

1980, c. 734.
Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 10 (Heat, Light, Power, Water and Other Utility Companies Generally)
§ 56-245.1:2. Customers to be notified of renewable power options.
A. The Commission shall post on its website the names, telephone numbers, and available hyperlinks of suppliers of electric energy licensed to sell retail electric energy pursuant to § 56-587, that (i) expressly state in their applications for licensure, or for any renewal thereof, that they offer electric energy supplied from renewable energy to retail customers in the Commonwealth as described in subdivision A 5 of § 56-577 and (ii) request in any such applications that they be identified on the Commission's website as making such offers. Provided, however, that by posting such information on its website, the Commission shall not be deemed to provide any guarantees or assurances concerning the bona fides of such offers or that any such offers are in conformance with the laws of the Commonwealth.

B. At least once each calendar quarter, each investor-owned electric utility in the Commonwealth shall include in or on the customer bills a notice directing them to the Commission website described in subsection A. Each investor-owned electric utility shall also feature available options for purchasing electric energy from renewable sources offered by the utility prominently on its website.

2008, c. 518; 2016, cc. 248, 259.
Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 10 (Heat, Light, Power, Water and Other Utility Companies Generally)
§ 56-245.1:3. Disconnection suspension for utilities.
A. As used in this section, "utility" means an electric company, a natural gas supplier, or a water supplier or wastewater service provider that is subject to the regulation of the Commission.

B. 1. No electric utility shall disconnect from service any residential customer for the nonpayment of bills or fees (i) when the forecasted temperature low is at or below 32 degrees Fahrenheit within the 24 hours following the scheduled disconnection or (ii) when the forecasted temperature is at or above 92 degrees Fahrenheit within the 24 hours following the scheduled disconnection.

2. No gas utility shall disconnect from service any residential customer for nonpayment of bills or fees when the forecasted temperature low is at or below 32 degrees Fahrenheit within the 24 hours following the scheduled disconnection.

3. No water or wastewater utility shall disconnect from service any residential customer when the forecasted temperature is at or above 92 degrees Fahrenheit within the 24 hours following the scheduled disconnection.

4. To ascertain the projected temperature as provided in this subsection, each utility shall refer to the forecasted local temperature provided by the National Weather Service where the customer to be disconnected is located.

C. No utilities shall disconnect from service any residential customer for nonpayment of bills or fees on Fridays, weekends, state holidays, or the day immediately preceding a state holiday.

D. Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit utilities from voluntarily suspending scheduled disconnections during other extreme weather events, emergency conditions, or circumstances in which a utility determines such suspension necessary to protect the health and safety of its customers and the reliability of utility service in the Commonwealth. Further, nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit (i) a disconnection required by the conditions of subdivision A 8 of § 56-247.1, (ii) emergency disconnections for health and safety purposes, or (iii) the occurrence of an automatic service suspension associated with prepaid utility service. Any fees or expenses incurred by a utility in complying with the requirements of this section shall be recovered by the utility.

2024, cc. 790, 824.
Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 10 (Heat, Light, Power, Water and Other Utility Companies Generally)
§ 56-245.1:4. Notice procedures for nonpayment; disconnecting utility service.
A. Each utility subject to the provisions of § 56-245.1:3 shall provide to each of its residential customers a copy of its disconnection for nonpayment policy (i) at any time a new residential account is established, (ii) when any disconnection for nonpayment of bills or fees is scheduled by including a copy of the policy with such notice, or (iii) by publishing the disconnection policy on the utility's website. Each such utility shall provide all required notices in English and Spanish. Such required notices shall include information regarding payment plans and state, federal, or utility energy assistance programs.

B. Each utility subject to the provisions of this section shall deliver notice of nonpayment of bills or fees to its residential customers prior to disconnection by using at least two of the following methods: (i) mail, (ii) email, (iii) text message, (iv) phone call, or (v) door hanger.

C. Utility disconnections due to the nonpayment of bills or fees are prohibited for residential customers until the customer's account is 60 days in arrears. After each missed payment, the utility shall provide notice pursuant to subsection B and make contact with the customer and offer bill payment assistance, arrange a payment plan, or provide information to the customer for other bill payment assistance or energy savings programs.

D. No electric or gas utility shall require a deposit of more than 25 percent of the arrearage amount for service, exclusive of nonpayment fees, penalties, or interest, in order to restore service to any residential customer where such utility received funding from the Department of Social Services for such customer through the Home Energy Assistance Program pursuant to § 63.2-805 within the last 12 months. A customer is eligible for this provision once every three years.

2024, cc. 790, 824.
Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 10 (Heat, Light, Power, Water and Other Utility Companies Generally)
§ 56-245.2. Definitions.
A. When used in this article, unless expressly stated otherwise:

"Apartment house" means a building or buildings with the primary purpose of residential occupancy containing more than two dwelling units all of which are rented primarily for nontransient use, with rental paid at intervals of one week or longer. Apartment house includes residential condominiums and cooperatives, whether rented or owner occupied.

"Campground" means the same as the term is defined in § 35.1-1.

"Campsite" means that same as that term is defined in § 35.1-1.

"Dwelling unit" means a room or rooms suitable for occupancy as a residence containing kitchen and bathroom facilities.

"Energy allocation equipment" means any device, other than submetering equipment, used to determine approximate electric or natural gas usage for any dwelling unit or nonresidential rental unit within an apartment house, office building or shopping center, or campsite at a campground.

"Nonresidential rental unit" means a room or rooms in which retail or commercial services, clerical work or professional duties are carried out.

"Office building" means a building or buildings containing more than two rental units which are rented primarily for retail, commercial or professional use, with rental paid at intervals of one month or longer.

"Owner-paid areas" means those areas for which the owner bears financial responsibility for energy costs which include but are not limited to areas outside individual residential or nonresidential units or campsites or in owner-occupied or owner-shared areas such as maintenance shops, vacant units, meeting units, meeting rooms, offices, swimming pools, laundry rooms, or model apartments.

"Shopping center" means a building or buildings containing more than two stores which are rented primarily for commercial, retail or professional use.

"Submetering equipment" means equipment used to measure actual electricity or natural gas usage in any dwelling unit or nonresidential rental unit or campsite when such equipment is not owned or controlled by the electric or natural gas utility serving the apartment house, office building, shopping center, or campground in which the dwelling unit or nonresidential rental unit or campsite is located.

B. Any building or buildings which qualify as an apartment house, office building, or shopping center shall not be excluded from § 56-245.3 because the apartment house, office building or shopping center contains a mixture of dwelling units and nonresidential rental units.

1978, c. 392; 1979, c. 313; 1992, c. 766; 2012, c. 338.
Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 10 (Heat, Light, Power, Water and Other Utility Companies Generally)
§ 56-246. Tests and equipment therefor.
The Commission may purchase such materials, apparatus and standard measuring instruments for such examinations and tests as it may deem necessary, and may provide for the examinations and testing of the service or any part thereof of any public utility in this Commonwealth at such time and under such circumstances as the Commission may deem best.

Code 1919, § 4069.

Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 10 (Heat, Light, Power, Water and Other Utility Companies Generally)
§ 56-247. Commission may change regulations, measurements, practices, services, or acts.
If upon investigation it shall be found that any regulation, measurement, practice, act or service of any public utility complained of is unjust, unreasonable, insufficient, preferential, unjustly discriminatory or otherwise in violation of law or if it be found that any service is inadequate or that any reasonable service cannot be obtained, the Commission may substitute therefor such other regulations, measurements, practices, service or acts and make such order respecting, and such changes in, such regulations, measurements, practices, service or acts as shall be just and reasonable.

The Commission shall investigate the promotional allowances and practices of public utilities and shall take such action as such investigation may indicate to be in the public interest.

Code 1919, § 4072; 1966, c. 552.
Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 10 (Heat, Light, Power, Water and Other Utility Companies Generally)
§ 56-248. Commission to prescribe standard units of products or service.
The Commission shall ascertain and prescribe for each kind of public utility suitable standard commercial units of products or service. This section shall not apply to telephone companies.

Code 1919, § 4070; 2011, cc. 738, 740.
Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 10 (Heat, Light, Power, Water and Other Utility Companies Generally)
§ 56-248.1. Commission to monitor fuel prices and utility fuel purchases; fuel price index.
A. The Commission shall monitor all fuel purchases, transportation costs, and contracts for such purchases of a utility to ascertain that all feasible economies are being utilized. Subject to the provisions of § 56-234, the Commission shall allow natural gas utilities to include in their fuel portfolios supplemental or substitute forms of gas sources that meet the natural gas utility's pipeline quality gas standards and that reduce the emissions intensity of its fuel portfolio. A natural gas utility shall procure supplemental or substitute forms of gas sources utilizing standard industry practices and shall report to the Commission annually the imputed reduction in carbon dioxide equivalent resulting from such purchasing practices.

B. As used in this section:

"Biogas" means a mixture of hydrocarbons that is a gas at 60 degrees Fahrenheit and one atmosphere of pressure that is produced through the anaerobic digestion or thermal conversion of organic matter.

"Low-emission natural gas" means natural gas produced from a geologic source that has a methane intensity of 0.20 or less (i) as reported under a protocol approved by the federal Environmental Protection Agency's Gas STAR Methane Challenge, (ii) as certified by the United Nations Environment Programme's Oil and Gas Methane Partnership 2.0, or (iii) as validated under a Qualified Attribute Commodities Platform.

"Methane intensity" means the methane emissions assigned to natural gas on an energy basis divided by the total methane content of produced natural gas.

"Qualified Attribute Commodities Platform" means a trading mechanism for natural gas or natural gas attributes that are nonfinancial intangible commodities that represents, packages, and certifies the qualifying attributes of an amount of low-emission natural gas. A Qualified Attribute Commodities Platform provides validation by an independent third party, provides natural gas or natural gas attributes capable of bilateral or exchange contract trading pursuant to standardized contracts for physical delivery that reasonably eliminate validation risk, and provides transparency for audit and reporting purposes.

"Supplemental or substitute forms of gas sources" means (i) low-emission natural gas, (ii) biogas, or (iii) hydrogen.

C. In addition, the Commission shall establish a fuel price index in order to compare the prices paid for the various types of fuel by Virginia utilities with the average price of the various types of fuel paid by other public utilities at comparable geographic locations in the market.

D. This section shall not apply to telephone companies.

1976, c. 507; 1982, c. 107; 2011, cc. 738, 740; 2022, cc. 728, 759.
Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 10 (Heat, Light, Power, Water and Other Utility Companies Generally)
§ 56-249. Reports by utilities.
The Commission, with or without an investigation, may require any public utility to furnish to it in such form, at such times, and in such detail as the Commission shall require, such accounts, reports and other information of whatsoever kind or character as it may deem proper and in such form and detail as it may prescribe, in order to show completely the entire operation of the public utility in furnishing the unit of its product or service to the public.

Code 1919, § 4070.

Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 10 (Heat, Light, Power, Water and Other Utility Companies Generally)
§ 56-249.1. Commission may require transfer of gas, water or electricity by one utility to another; compensation.
The Commission may require a public utility to transfer to another public utility of like business, gas, water or electricity, whenever the public health, welfare or safety shall be found to so require; provided, however, that the transferring public utility shall be compensated, at a rate fixed by the Commission, for all such deliveries by the receiving public utility.

1975, c. 358.

Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 10 (Heat, Light, Power, Water and Other Utility Companies Generally)
§ 56-249.2. Certain records to be maintained.
All public utilities doing business in the Commonwealth that file a rate of return statement shall, on and after January 1, 1977, or the beginning of the next fiscal year of the public utility after such date, maintain all records necessary to prepare and submit annually a rate of return statement reflecting that part of its total business under regulation of the Commission.

1976, c. 742; 1979, c. 617; 2011, cc. 738, 740.
Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 10 (Heat, Light, Power, Water and Other Utility Companies Generally)
§ 56-249.3. Certain electric utilities to file reports in relation to fuel transactions, fuel purchases, fuel adjustment clauses, etc.
The Commission shall require that public electric utilities, owning and operating generating facilities, or privately owned utilities purchasing power at wholesale for retail sales within this State, file monthly with the Commission for its review such information as it may deem necessary, which may include the following:

1. The various types of fuels received such as coal, oil, nuclear fuel or natural gas;

2. The following information on fossil fuels:

a. The supplier of the fossil fuel, the cost in cents per MBTU of the fuel, with a notation of whether the fuel was contracted for, purchased on the spot market or purchased from an affiliate of the electric utility;

b. The quantities of the various types of fossil fuels received stated in tons of coal, barrels of oil, millions of cubic feet of natural gas;

c. The average BTU content per pound, gallon or cubic foot received, whichever is applicable;

d. The average sulfur and ash content, where applicable, of the fuel received;

3. Total demurrage charges incurred at each generating plant;

4. Total cost of transportation incurred at each generating plant;

5. The quantity of fuel consumed by each generation unit in the generating plant;

6. The average cost of the fossil and nuclear fuel in cents per MBTU's consumed at each plant with and without handling charges;

7. The monthly net heat rate expressed in BTU's per kilowatt-hour for each generating unit;

8. The kilowatt-hour output delivered into the system on a monthly basis;

9. The monthly net kilowatt-hour interchange; and

10. The monthly system kilowatt-hour sales.

1977, c. 125; 1979, c. 617.

Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 10 (Heat, Light, Power, Water and Other Utility Companies Generally)
§ 56-249.4. How reports shall be filed; reports open to public; rules and regulations.
A. The information filed pursuant to § 56-249.3 shall be filed with the Commission in affidavit form within forty-five days following the close of the reference month.

B. All such information and reports filed pursuant to this section and § 56-249.3 shall be open to the public and available for inspection.

C. The Commission shall promulgate all rules and regulations necessary to implement this section and § 56-249.3.

1977, c. 125; 1982, c. 107.

Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 10 (Heat, Light, Power, Water and Other Utility Companies Generally)
§ 56-249.5. Repealed.
Repealed by Acts 1979, c. 492.
Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 10 (Heat, Light, Power, Water and Other Utility Companies Generally)
§ 56-249.7. Certain directors and officers of utility to file shareholder information.
The directors and officers of any public utility as defined in § 56-232 shall file with the Commission a record of all officers and directorships and all sources of income in excess of $25,000 per year arising from voting securities in all other corporations which to the knowledge of the director or officer furnishes fuel with a value in excess of $50,000 per year to the public utility. Such records for the past year shall be filed or made current on or before September 1 of each year.

1985, c. 522.
Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 10 (Heat, Light, Power, Water and Other Utility Companies Generally)
§ 56-250. Commission may authorize action by public utility in time of emergency or shortage; plans.
(1) Whenever it shall appear by satisfactory evidence that any public utility furnishing in this State power, heat, light or water cannot supply all of its customers the usual requirements of each by reason of strikes, accidents, want of fuel, or for any other reason, the Commission may authorize such public utility to take such action as, in the opinion of the Commission, will minimize adverse impact on the public health and safety and facilitate restoration of normal service to all customers at the earliest time practicable.

(2) To facilitate implementation of this section, the Commission may require any such public utility to file, as a part of the rules and regulations referred to in § 56-236, its plan for curtailment of service in such a condition of emergency or shortage. Such plans shall be considered and shall take effect in the manner provided in this chapter for the schedules of rates and charges and rules and regulations of public utilities.

1920, p. 232; Michie Code 1942, § 4072a; 1974, c. 478; 1975, c. 358.

Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 10 (Heat, Light, Power, Water and Other Utility Companies Generally)
§ 56-251. Repealed.
Repealed by Acts 1974, c. 478.

Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 10 (Heat, Light, Power, Water and Other Utility Companies Generally)
§ 56-253. Existing remedies retained.
Nothing contained in this chapter shall in any way abridge or alter the remedies at common law, in equity, or by statute, but the provisions hereof shall be deemed to be in addition to such remedies.

Code 1919, § 4073.

Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 10 (Heat, Light, Power, Water and Other Utility Companies Generally)
§ 56-254. Sale or lease of plants to cities or towns.
The board of directors of any public service corporation operating a gas, electric or water plant within the limits of any city or town, or within territory contiguous thereto, is hereby authorized to sell or lease to such city or town the entire plant of such corporation, or any part thereof, including the franchises and easements of such corporation; provided the action of the board of directors be authorized or ratified by an affirmative vote of a majority in interest of the stock issued and outstanding of such corporation, unless a larger interest is required by the charter or bylaws of such corporation.

1918, p. 463; Michie Code 1942, § 4073g.
Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 10 (Heat, Light, Power, Water and Other Utility Companies Generally)
§ 56-255. Extension of electric service to territory not being served.
If, from any rural territory not now being served, application be made to the Commission by a group of five or more persons, natural or artificial, to require an extension of electric service to such territory, the Commission shall, if necessary to accomplish the purposes sought, fix a time for hearing such application, on such terms and conditions as the Commission may prescribe, and, if it be established to the satisfaction of the Commission that a proper guaranteed revenue for a sufficient number of years will accrue to any company which may be required to construct the desired extension, and that a reasonable investment will accrue to the company constructing such extension, then the Commission is hereby authorized and empowered to require the nearest or most advantageously located electric utility company to such territory to construct such extension to such point or points in such territory and to serve such customer or customers therein, as in its judgment is right and proper.

1936, p. 1056; Michie Code 1942, § 4057(24).

Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 10 (Heat, Light, Power, Water and Other Utility Companies Generally)
§ 56-256. Powers of corporations generally; rights, powers, privileges and immunities, etc.
Every corporation organized for the purpose of: (1) constructing, maintaining, and operating an electric railway, or works, (2) supplying and distributing electricity for light, heat, or power, (3) producing, distributing, and selling steam, heat, or power, or compressed air, (4) producing, distributing and selling gas made of coal or other materials, (5) furnishing and distributing a water supply to any city or town, or (6) piping cold air outside of its plant, or (7) constructing and maintaining any public viaduct, bridge or conduit, shall, in addition to the powers conferred upon corporations generally, have all the rights, powers, privileges, and immunities, and be subject to all the rules, regulations, restrictions, pains, and penalties prescribed by §§ 56-458, 56-459 to 56-462, 56-466, 56-467 and 56-484, which sections shall apply to, and as far as practicable, operate upon the corporations mentioned in this section, unless otherwise provided.

Code 1919, §§ 4058, 4061.