reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
VA Code § 56-242 (2021)
2021 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.
VA Code § 56-243 (2021)
2021 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.
VA Code § 56-244 (2021)
2021 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.
VA Code § 56-245 (2021)
2021 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.
VA Code § 56-245.1 (2021)
2021 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.
VA Code § 56-245.1:1 (2021)
2021 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.
VA Code § 56-245.1:2 (2021)
2021 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.
VA Code § 56-245.2 (2021)
2021 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.
VA Code § 56-246 (2021)
2021 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.
VA Code § 56-247 (2021)
2021 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.
VA Code § 56-248 (2021)
2021 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.
VA Code § 56-248.1 (2021)
2021 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

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.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. This section shall not apply to telephone companies.1976, c. 507; 1982, c. 107; 2011, cc. 738, 740.
VA Code § 56-249 (2021)
2021 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.
VA Code § 56-249.1 (2021)
2021 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.
VA Code § 56-249.2 (2021)
2021 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.
VA Code § 56-249.3 (2021)
2021 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; and10. The monthly system kilowatt-hour sales.1977, c. 125; 1979, c. 617.
VA Code § 56-249.4 (2021)
2021 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.
VA Code § 56-249.7 (2021)
2021 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.
VA Code § 56-250 (2021)
2021 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.
VA Code § 56-253 (2021)
2021 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.
VA Code § 56-254 (2021)
2021 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.