reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 56 - Public Service Companies › Chapter 21.1 - Interstate Natural Gas Pipeline Safety › § 56-555.1. Definitions

As used in this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning:
"Administration" means the U.S. Department of Transportation's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Administration.
"Federal Act" means the federal Natural Gas Pipeline Safety Act of 1968, P.L. 90-481, as amended, including natural gas pipeline safety regulations set forth in 49 CFR Parts 191, 192, 193, and 199 and federal rules adopted pursuant thereto.
"Gas" means natural gas, flammable gas, or toxic or corrosive gas.
"Gas pipeline facility" includes a pipeline, a right of way, a facility, a building, or equipment used in transporting gas or treating gas during its transportation.
"Interstate gas pipeline facility" means a gas pipeline facility that is used to transport gas and is subject to jurisdiction of the Secretary under the federal Natural Gas Act, 15 U.S.C. § 717 et seq.
"Secretary" means the U.S. Secretary of Transportation.
2016, c. 261.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 56 - Public Service Companies › Chapter 22.1 - The Public-Private Education Facilities and Infrastructure Act of 2002 › § 56-575.2. Declaration of public purpose

A. The General Assembly finds that:
1. There is a public need for timely acquisition, design, construction, improvement, renovation, expansion, equipping, maintenance, operation, implementation, or installation of education facilities, technology infrastructure and other public infrastructure and government facilities within the Commonwealth that serve a public need and purpose;
2. Such public need may not be wholly satisfied by existing methods of procurement in which qualifying projects are acquired, designed, constructed, improved, renovated, expanded, equipped, maintained, operated, implemented, or installed;
3. There are inadequate resources to develop new education facilities, technology infrastructure and other public infrastructure and government facilities for the benefit of citizens of the Commonwealth, and there is demonstrated evidence that public-private partnerships can meet these needs by improving the schedule for delivery, lowering the cost, and providing other benefits to the public;
4. Financial incentives exist under state and federal tax provisions that promote public entities to enter into partnerships with private entities to develop qualifying projects;
5. Authorizing private entities to develop or operate one or more qualifying projects may result in the availability of such projects to the public in a more timely or less costly fashion, thereby serving the public safety, benefit, and welfare.
B. An action under § 56-575.4 shall serve the public purpose of this chapter if such action facilitates the timely development or operation of qualifying projects.
C. It is the intent of this chapter, among other things, to encourage investment in the Commonwealth by private entities and facilitate the bond financing provisions of the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 or other similar financing mechanisms, private capital and other funding sources that support the development or operation of qualifying projects, to the end that financing for qualifying projects be expanded and accelerated to improve and add to the convenience of the public, and such that public and private entities may have the greatest possible flexibility in contracting with each other for the provision of the public services that are the subject of this chapter.
D. This chapter shall be liberally construed in conformity with the purposes hereof.
2002, c. 571; 2003, c. 1034; 2005, c. 865.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 56 - Public Service Companies › Chapter 22.1 - The Public-Private Education Facilities and Infrastructure Act of 2002 › § 56-575.3. Prerequisite for operation of a qualifying project

A. Any private entity seeking authorization under this chapter to develop or operate a qualifying project shall first obtain approval of the responsible public entity under § 56-575.4. Such private entity may initiate the approval process by requesting approval pursuant to subsection A of § 56-575.4 or the responsible public entity may request proposals or invite bids pursuant to subsection B of § 56-575.4.
B. Any facility, building, infrastructure or improvement included in a proposal as a part of a qualifying project shall be identified specifically or conceptually.
C. Upon receipt by the responsible public entity of a proposal submitted by a private entity initiating the approval process pursuant to subsection A of § 56-575.4, the responsible public entity shall determine whether to accept such proposal for consideration in accordance with § 56-575.16. If the responsible public entity determines not to accept for consideration the proposal submitted by the private entity pursuant to subsection A of § 56-575.4, it shall return the proposal, together with all fees and accompanying documentation, to the private entity.
D. The responsible public entity may reject any proposal initiated by a private entity pursuant to subsection A of § 56-575.4 at any time. If the responsible public entity rejects a proposal initiated by a private entity that purports to develop specific cost savings, the public entity shall specify the basis for the rejection.
2002, c. 571; 2003, cc. 292, 1034; 2005, c. 865; 2011, c. 308.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 56 - Public Service Companies › Chapter 22.1 - The Public-Private Education Facilities and Infrastructure Act of 2002 › § 56-575.5. Service contracts

In addition to any authority otherwise conferred by law, any public entity may contract with a private entity for the delivery of services to be provided as part of a qualifying project in exchange for such service payments and other consideration as such public entity may deem appropriate.
2002, c. 571; 2005, c. 865.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 56 - Public Service Companies › Chapter 22.1 - The Public-Private Education Facilities and Infrastructure Act of 2002 › § 56-575.6. Affected local jurisdictions

A. Any private entity requesting approval from, or submitting a proposal to, a responsible public entity under § 56-575.4 shall notify each affected local jurisdiction by furnishing a copy of its request or proposal to each affected local jurisdiction.
B. Each affected local jurisdiction that is not a responsible public entity for the respective qualifying project shall, within sixty days after receiving such notice, submit any comments it may have in writing on the proposed qualifying project to the responsible public entity and indicate whether the facility is compatible with the local comprehensive plan, local infrastructure development plans, the capital improvements budget, or other government spending plan. Such comments shall be given consideration by the responsible public entity prior to entering a comprehensive agreement pursuant to § 56-575.9 with a private entity.
2002, c. 571.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 56 - Public Service Companies › Chapter 22.1 - The Public-Private Education Facilities and Infrastructure Act of 2002 › § 56-575.7. Dedication of public property

Any public entity may dedicate any property interest, including land, improvements, and tangible personal property, that it has for public use in a qualifying project if it finds that so doing will serve the public purpose of this chapter by minimizing the cost of a qualifying project to the public entity or reducing the delivery time of a qualifying project. In connection with such dedication, a public entity may convey any property interest that it has, subject to the conditions imposed by general law governing such conveyances, to the private entity subject to the provisions of this chapter, for such consideration as such public entity may determine. The aforementioned consideration may include, without limitation, the agreement of the private entity to develop or operate the qualifying project. The property interests that the public entity may convey to the private entity in connection with a dedication under this section may include licenses, franchises, easements, or any other right or interest the public entity deems appropriate.
2002, c. 571; 2005, c. 865.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 56 - Public Service Companies › Chapter 22.1 - The Public-Private Education Facilities and Infrastructure Act of 2002 › § 56-575.9:1. Interim agreement

Prior to or in connection with the negotiation of the comprehensive agreement, the responsible public entity may enter into an interim agreement with the private entity proposing the development or operation of the qualifying project. Such interim agreement may (i) permit the private entity to commence activities for which it may be compensated relating to the proposed qualifying project, including, but not limited to, project planning and development, design and engineering, environmental analysis and mitigation, survey, and ascertaining the availability of financing for the proposed facility or facilities; (ii) establish the process and timing of the negotiation of the comprehensive agreement; and (iii) contain any other provisions related to any aspect of the development or operation of a qualifying project that the parties may deem appropriate.
2005, c. 865.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 56 - Public Service Companies › Chapter 22.1 - The Public-Private Education Facilities and Infrastructure Act of 2002 › § 56-575.10. Federal, state and local assistance

A. Any financing of a qualifying facility may be in such amounts and upon such terms and conditions as may be determined by the parties to the interim or comprehensive agreement. Without limiting the generality of the terms and conditions of the financing, the private entity and the responsible public entity may propose to utilize any and all funding resources that may be available to them and may, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, issue debt, equity, or other securities or obligations, enter into leases, access any designated trust funds, borrow or accept grants from any state infrastructure bank, and secure any financing with a pledge of, security interest in, or lien on, any or all of its property, including all of its property interests in the qualifying facility.
B. The responsible public entity may take any action to obtain federal, state, or local assistance for a qualifying project that serves the public purpose of this chapter and may enter into any contracts required to receive such assistance. If the responsible public entity is a state agency, any funds received from the state or federal government or any agency or instrumentality thereof shall be subject to appropriation by the General Assembly. The responsible public entity may determine that it serves the public purpose of this chapter for all or any portion of the costs of a qualifying project to be paid, directly or indirectly, from the proceeds of a grant or loan made by the local, state, or federal government or any agency or instrumentality thereof.
2002, c. 571; 2005, c. 865.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 56 - Public Service Companies › Chapter 22.1 - The Public-Private Education Facilities and Infrastructure Act of 2002 › § 56-575.11. Material default; remedies

A. In the event of a material default by the private entity, the responsible public entity may elect to assume the responsibilities and duties of the private entity of the qualifying project, and in such case, it shall succeed to all of the right, title and interest in such qualifying project, subject to any liens on revenues previously granted by the private entity to any person providing financing thereof.
B. Any responsible public entity having the power of condemnation under state law may exercise such power of condemnation to acquire the qualifying project in the event of a material default by the private entity. Any person who has provided financing for the qualifying project, and the private entity, to the extent of its capital investment, may participate in the condemnation proceedings with the standing of a property owner.
C. The responsible public entity may terminate, with cause, the interim or comprehensive agreement and exercise any other rights and remedies that may be available to it at law or in equity.
D. The responsible public entity may make or cause to be made any appropriate claims under the maintenance, performance, or payment bonds; or lines of credit required by subsection A 1 of § 56-575.9.
E. In the event the responsible public entity elects to take over a qualifying project pursuant to subsection A, the responsible public entity may develop or operate the qualifying project, impose user fees, impose and collect lease payments for the use thereof and comply with any service contracts as if it were the private entity. Any revenues that are subject to a lien shall be collected for the benefit of and paid to secured parties, as their interests may appear, to the extent necessary to satisfy the private entity's obligations to secured parties, including the maintenance of reserves. Such liens shall be correspondingly reduced and, when paid off, released. Before any payments to, or for the benefit of, secured parties, the responsible public entity may use revenues to pay current operation and maintenance costs of the qualifying project, including compensation to the responsible public entity for its services in operating and maintaining the qualifying project. The right to receive such payment, if any, shall be considered just compensation for the qualifying project. The full faith and credit of the responsible public entity shall not be pledged to secure any financing of the private entity by the election to take over the qualifying project. Assumption of operation of the qualifying project shall not obligate the responsible public entity to pay any obligation of the private entity from sources other than revenues.
2002, c. 571; 2003, c. 1034; 2005, c. 865.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 56 - Public Service Companies › Chapter 22.1 - The Public-Private Education Facilities and Infrastructure Act of 2002 › § 56-575.12. Condemnation

At the request of the private entity, the responsible public entity may exercise any power of condemnation that it has under law for the purpose of acquiring any lands or estates or interests therein to the extent that the responsible public entity finds that such action serves the public purpose of this chapter. Any amounts to be paid in any such condemnation proceeding shall be paid by the private entity.
2002, c. 571; 2005, c. 865.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 56 - Public Service Companies › Chapter 22.1 - The Public-Private Education Facilities and Infrastructure Act of 2002 › § 56-575.13. Utility crossing

The private entity and each public service company, public utility, railroad, and cable television provider, whose facilities are to be crossed or affected shall cooperate fully with the other entity in planning and arranging the manner of the crossing or relocation of the facilities. Any such entity possessing the power of condemnation is hereby expressly granted such powers in connection with the moving or relocation of facilities to be crossed by the qualifying project or that must be relocated to the extent that such moving or relocation is made necessary or desirable by construction of, renovation to, or improvements to the qualifying project, which shall be construed to include construction of, renovation to, or improvements to temporary facilities for the purpose of providing service during the period of construction or improvement. Any amount to be paid for such crossing, construction, moving or relocating of facilities shall be paid for by the private entity. Should the private entity and any such public service company, public utility, railroad, and cable television provider not be able to agree upon a plan for the crossing or relocation, the Commission may determine the manner in which the crossing or relocation is to be accomplished and any damages due arising out of the crossing or relocation. The Commission may employ expert engineers who shall examine the location and plans for such crossing or relocation, hear any objections and consider modifications, and make a recommendation to the Commission. In such a case, the cost of the experts is to be borne by the private entity. Such determination shall be made by the Commission within ninety days of notification by the private entity that the qualifying project will cross utilities subject to the Commission's jurisdiction.
2002, c. 571; 2005, c. 865.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 56 - Public Service Companies › Chapter 22.1 - The Public-Private Education Facilities and Infrastructure Act of 2002 › § 56-575.14. Police powers; violations of law

All police officers of the Commonwealth and of each affected local jurisdiction shall have the same powers and jurisdiction within the limits of such qualifying project as they have in their respective areas of jurisdiction and such police officers shall have access to the qualifying project at any time for the purpose of exercising such powers and jurisdiction.
2002, c. 571.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 56 - Public Service Companies › Chapter 22.1 - The Public-Private Education Facilities and Infrastructure Act of 2002 › § 56-575.15. Sovereign immunity

Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as or deemed a waiver of the sovereign immunity of the Commonwealth, any responsible public entity or any affected local jurisdiction or any officer or employee thereof with respect to the participation in, or approval of all or any part of the qualifying project or its operation, including but not limited to interconnection of the qualifying project with any other infrastructure or project. Counties, cities and towns in which a qualifying project is located shall possess sovereign immunity with respect to its design, construction, and operation.
2002, c. 571.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 56 - Public Service Companies › Chapter 22.1 - The Public-Private Education Facilities and Infrastructure Act of 2002 › § 56-575.17:1. Contributions and gifts; prohibition during approval process

A. No private entity that has submitted a bid or proposal to a public entity that is an executive branch agency directly responsible to the Governor and is seeking to develop or operate a qualifying project pursuant to this chapter, and no individual who is an officer or director of such a private entity, shall knowingly provide a contribution, gift, or other item with a value greater than $50 or make an express or implied promise to make such a contribution or gift to the Governor, his political action committee, or the Governor's Secretaries, if the Secretary is responsible to the Governor for an executive branch agency with jurisdiction over the matters at issue, following the submission of a proposal under this chapter until the execution of a comprehensive agreement thereunder. The provisions of this section shall apply only for any proposal or an interim or comprehensive agreement where the stated or expected value of the contract is $5 million or more.
B. Any person who knowingly violates this section shall be subject to a civil penalty of $500 or up to two times the amount of the contribution or gift, whichever is greater. The attorney for the Commonwealth shall initiate civil proceedings to enforce the civil penalties. Any civil penalties collected shall be payable to the State Treasurer for deposit to the general fund.
2010, c. 732; 2011, c. 624.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 56 - Public Service Companies › Chapter 22.1 - The Public-Private Education Facilities and Infrastructure Act of 2002 › § 56-575.18. Auditor of Public Accounts

The Auditor of Public Accounts shall periodically review interim and comprehensive agreements entered into pursuant to this chapter to ensure compliance with the provisions of this chapter. Copies of the agreements and supporting documents must be electronically filed with the Auditor of Public Accounts. Electronic agreements shall be made available in the online database maintained pursuant to § 30-133.
2007, c. 764; 2009, c. 762.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 56 - Public Service Companies › Chapter 23 - Virginia Electric Utility Regulation Act › § 56-577.1. Electric utilities; retail competition; pilot program

A. The Commission shall conduct a pilot program under which two or more nonresidential customers that, as of February 25, 2019, had filed applications seeking to aggregate their load pursuant to subdivision A 4 of § 56-577 within the service territory of a Phase II Utility, as that term is defined in subsection A of § 56-585.1, shall be permitted to purchase electric energy from any supplier of electric energy licensed to sell electric energy within the Commonwealth, subject to the following terms, conditions, and restrictions:
1. A pilot program shall be conducted within the certified service territory of the Phase II Utility in which such nonresidential customers are located.
2. The aggregated load participating in the pilot program shall not exceed 200 megawatts.
3. All customers participating in the pilot program shall be subject in all respects to the provisions of subdivision A 3 of § 56-577, with participation in this pilot program being deemed to satisfy subdivision A 4 of § 56-577 and with the load set forth in each application being treated as a single, individual customer for purposes of said subdivision, and shall submit an annual report to the Commission by March 31 each year to demonstrate that, for the preceding calendar year, such load continued to meet the demand limitations of subdivision A 3 of § 56-577.
B. The Commission shall review the pilot program established pursuant to subsection A in 2022.
2020, c. 796.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 56 - Public Service Companies › Chapter 23 - Virginia Electric Utility Regulation Act › § 56-578. Nondiscriminatory access to transmission and distribution system

A. All distributors shall have the obligation to connect any retail customer, including those using distributed generation, located within its service territory to those facilities of the distributor that are used for delivery of retail electric energy, subject to Commission rules and regulations and approved tariff provisions relating to connection of service.
B. Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, every distributor shall provide distribution service within its service territory on a basis which is just, reasonable, and not unduly discriminatory to suppliers of electric energy, including distributed generation, as the Commission may determine. The distribution services provided to each supplier of electric energy shall be comparable in quality to those provided by the distribution utility to itself or to any affiliate.
C. The Commission shall establish interconnection standards to ensure transmission and distribution safety and reliability, which standards shall not be inconsistent with nationally recognized standards acceptable to the Commission. In adopting standards pursuant to this subsection, the Commission shall seek to prevent barriers to new technology and shall not make compliance unduly burdensome and expensive. The Commission shall determine questions about the ability of specific equipment to meet interconnection standards.
D. The Commission shall consider developing expedited permitting processes for small generation facilities of fifty megawatts or less. The Commission shall also consider developing a standardized permitting process and interconnection arrangements for those power systems less than 500 kilowatts which have demonstrated approval from a nationally recognized testing laboratory acceptable to the Commission.
E. Upon the separation and deregulation of the generation function and services of incumbent electric utilities, the Commission shall retain jurisdiction over utilities' electric transmission function and services, to the extent not preempted by federal law. Nothing in this section shall impair the Commission's authority under §§ 56-46.1, 56-46.2, and 56-265.2 with respect to the construction of electric transmission facilities.
1999, c. 411; 2007, cc. 888, 933.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 56 - Public Service Companies › Chapter 23 - Virginia Electric Utility Regulation Act › § 56-584. Stranded costs

Just and reasonable net stranded costs, to the extent that they exceed zero value in total for the incumbent electric utility, shall be recoverable by each incumbent electric utility provided each incumbent electric utility shall only recover its just and reasonable net stranded costs through either capped rates as provided in § 56-582. To the extent not preempted by federal law, the establishment by the Commission of wires charges for any distribution cooperative shall be conditioned upon such cooperative entering into binding commitments by which it will pay to any power supply cooperative of which such distribution cooperative is or was a member, as compensation for such power supply cooperative's stranded costs, all or part of the proceeds of such wires charges, as determined by the Commission.
1999, c. 411; 2007, cc. 888, 933.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 56 - Public Service Companies › Chapter 23 - Virginia Electric Utility Regulation Act › § 56-585. Default service

A. The Commission shall, after notice and opportunity for hearing, (i) determine the components of default service and (ii) establish one or more programs making such services available to retail customers requiring them during the availability throughout the Commonwealth of customer choice for all retail customers as established pursuant to § 56-577. For purposes of this chapter, "default service" means service made available under this section to retail customers who (i) do not affirmatively select a supplier, (ii) are unable to obtain service from an alternative supplier, or (iii) have contracted with an alternative supplier who fails to perform. Availability of default service shall expire upon the expiration or termination of capped rates.
B. A distributor shall have the obligation and right to be the supplier of default services in its certificated service territory, and shall do so, in a safe and reliable manner, at rates determined pursuant to subsection C; however, the Commission may not require a distributor, or affiliate thereof, to provide any such services outside the territory in which such distributor provides service.
C. Until the expiration or termination of capped rates, the rates for default service shall equal the capped rates established pursuant to subdivision A 2 of § 56-582.
D. A distribution electric cooperative, or one or more affiliates thereof, shall have the obligation and right to be the supplier of default services in its certificated service territory. A distribution electric cooperative's rates for such default services shall be the capped rate for the duration of the capped rate period. Subsections B and C shall not apply to a distribution electric cooperative or its rates. Such default services, for the purposes of this subsection, shall include the supply of electric energy.
1999, c. 411; 2000, c. 991; 2001, c. 748; 2003, c. 885; 2004, c. 827; 2007, cc. 888, 933.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 56 - Public Service Companies › Chapter 23 - Virginia Electric Utility Regulation Act › § 56-585.1:2. Pilot program for energy assistance and weatherization

Notwithstanding the provisions of §§ 56-249.6 and 56-585.1:
Each Phase I and II Utility shall conduct a pilot program for energy assistance and weatherization for low income, elderly, and disabled individuals in their respective service territories in the Commonwealth. Each pilot program shall be funded by the utility and shall commence September 1, 2015. Each Phase I Utility shall continue such pilot program at no less than the existing levels of funding as of July 1, 2018, for each year that the utility provides such service. Each Phase II Utility shall continue such pilot program at no less than $13 million for each year the utility is providing such service. The funding for the pilot programs established pursuant hereto for energy assistance and weatherization for low-income, elderly, and disabled individuals in the service territory in the Commonwealth of each respective utility shall continue until the earlier of amendment or repeal of this section or July 1, 2028. Each such utility shall report on the status of its pilot program, including the number of individuals served thereby, to the Governor, the State Corporation Commission, and the Chairman of the House Committee on Labor and Commerce and the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce and Labor by July 1, 2016, and each year thereafter.
2015, c. 6; 2018, c. 296.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 56 - Public Service Companies › Chapter 23 - Virginia Electric Utility Regulation Act › § 56-585.1:6. Pilot Programs to deploy electric power storage batteries

A. The Commission shall establish pilot programs under which each Phase I Utility and each Phase II Utility, as such terms are defined in subdivision A 1 of § 56-585.1, shall submit a proposal to deploy electric power storage batteries. A proposal shall provide for the deployment of batteries pursuant to a pilot program that accomplishes at least one of the following: (i) improve reliability of electrical transmission or distribution systems; (ii) improve integration of different types of renewable resources; (iii) deferred investment in generation, transmission, or distribution of electricity; (iv) reduced need for additional generation of electricity during times of peak demand; or (v) connection to the facilities of a customer receiving generation, transmission, and distribution service from the utility. A Phase I Utility may install batteries with up to 10 megawatts of capacity. A Phase II Utility may install batteries with up to 30 megawatts of capacity. Each pilot program shall have a duration of five years. The pilot program shall provide for the recovery of all reasonable and prudent costs incurred under the pilot program through the electric utility's base rates on a nondiscriminatory basis. Any pilot program proposed by a Phase I Utility or Phase II Utility that satisfies the requirements of this subsection is in the public interest.
B. The Commission shall, by December 1, 2018, adopt such rules or establish such guidelines as may be necessary for the general administration of pilot programs to deploy electric power storage batteries established by subsection A.
2018, c. 296.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 56 - Public Service Companies › Chapter 23 - Virginia Electric Utility Regulation Act › § 56-585.1:7. Pilot program for electric generation by public schools

A. The Commission shall require a Phase II Utility as defined in subdivision A 1 of § 56-585.1 to submit a proposal to the Commission to conduct a pilot program, not to exceed 10 megawatts in the aggregate, in its certificated service territory to allow any school in a public school division in the Commonwealth that generates electricity from a wind-powered or solar-powered renewable energy generation facility located at the school in amounts that exceed the amount of electricity consumed by the school in a billing period, at the option of the school board, to either (i) credit such excess electricity to the metered accounts of one or more other schools in the same public school division, as directed by the school board, in a manner that reduces the amount of electricity for which the other school or schools are billed and provides the other school or schools with a credit against the amount billed to the other school or schools, which credit shall be at the same rate that the school or schools would otherwise be charged for such amount of electricity, without the assessment by the supplier of any service charges or fees in connection with or arising out of such crediting or (ii) receive payment for such excess electricity from the electric utility at the contractually negotiated rate. The duration of any pilot program approved by the Commission pursuant to this section shall be six years.
B. The Commission shall, by December 1, 2018, adopt such rules or establish such guidelines as may be necessary for its general administration of the pilot program established under this section.
C. Any electric utility participating in the pilot program established under this section shall report to the General Assembly by December 1 of each year the pilot program is in effect, commencing in 2020, regarding the status of the pilot program's enrollment and any other information that may be appropriate.
2018, c. 415.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 56 - Public Service Companies › Chapter 23 - Virginia Electric Utility Regulation Act › § 56-585.1:10. Program for electric infrastructure serving business parks

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership shall conduct a program with each Phase I and Phase II Utility, as those terms are defined in subsection A of § 56-585, in each such utility's service territory or transmission zone for the purpose of promoting economic development in areas of the Commonwealth. The program shall allow any such utility to complete the construction phase of a transmission line and any associated substation and other associated facilities to provide electric transmission and distribution infrastructure to a business park, as defined in § 56-576, located within the utility's transmission zone where investments by a locality or an industrial development authority or a similar political subdivision of the Commonwealth created pursuant to § 15.2-4903 or other act of the General Assembly in the siting, environmental review, pre-engineering design, and transmission right-of-way acquisition have been made prior to the public announcement of a prospective occupant of the business park. Each program shall be subject to the following terms, conditions, and restrictions:
1. The costs incurred by a Phase I or Phase II Utility after January 1, 2019, to construct, operate, and maintain the business park electric infrastructure in order to provide service to a business park participating in the program outlined by this section shall be recovered by the utility pursuant to a rate adjustment clause approved by the Commission in subdivision A 4 of § 56-585.1.
2. Each individual qualifying project shall be less than 10 miles in length.
3. The role of the Virginia Economic Development Partnership in conducting the program outlined by this section is to certify that up to two petitions per year for each Phase I and Phase II utility address the eligibility criteria for participation in the program set forth in § 56-576 and in this section.
4. For construction of business park electric infrastructure, a utility shall either (i) obtain a certificate from the Commission pursuant to subdivision A 1 of § 56-265.2, unless such infrastructure is an ordinary extension or improvement in the usual course of business or (ii) obtain approval pursuant to the requirements of § 15.2-2232 and any applicable zoning ordinances by the locality or localities in which the business park electric infrastructure will be located. If the utility seeks a certificate pursuant to subdivision A 1 of § 56-265.2, the Commission shall issue its decision on the expedited certificate application no later than six months from the date of filing. The need for any business park electric infrastructure shall be satisfied if the business park to be served is approved for the program by the Virginia Economic Development Partnership.
2019, c. 535; 2022, c. 216; 2023, cc. 704, 705.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 56 - Public Service Companies › Chapter 23 - Virginia Electric Utility Regulation Act › § 56-585.1:13. Recovery of costs associated with investment in transportation electrification

Beginning July 1, 2021, any approved costs of any investor-owned electric utility associated with investment in transportation electrification, other than those costs approved prior to July 1, 2021, shall be recovered only through the utility's rates for generation and distribution, shall not be recovered through a rate adjustment clause pursuant to subdivision A 6 of § 56-585.1, and shall not be eligible for a customer credit reinvestment offset pursuant to subdivision A 8 d of § 56-585.1. To the extent that the provisions of this section are inconsistent with the provisions of § 56-585.1, the provisions of this section shall control.
2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 268.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 56 - Public Service Companies › Chapter 23 - Virginia Electric Utility Regulation Act › § 56-586. Emergency service provider

On and after January 1, 2001, if any supplier fails to fulfill an obligation, resulting in the failure of retail electric energy to be delivered into the control area serving the supplier's retail customer, the entity fulfilling the control area function, or, if applicable, the regional transmission entity or other entity as designated by the Commission, shall be responsible for charging the defaulting supplier for the full cost of replacement energy, including the cost of energy, the cost incurred by others as a result of the default, and the assessment of penalties as may be approved either by the Commission, to the extent not precluded by federal law, or by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. The Commission, as part of the rules established under § 56-587, shall determine the circumstances under which failures to deliver electricity will result in the revocation of the supplier's license.
1999, c. 411.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 56 - Public Service Companies › Chapter 23 - Virginia Electric Utility Regulation Act › § 56-588. Licensing of aggregators

A. As a condition of doing business in the Commonwealth, each person seeking to act as an aggregator within this Commonwealth on and after January 1, 2002, shall obtain a license from the Commission to do so. The license shall authorize that person to act as an aggregator until the license expires or is otherwise terminated, suspended or revoked. Licensing pursuant to this section, however, shall not relieve any person seeking to act as a supplier of electric energy from their obligation to obtain a license as a supplier pursuant to § 56-587.
B. As a condition of obtaining, retaining and renewing any license issued pursuant to this section, a person shall satisfy such reasonable and nondiscriminatory requirements as may be specified by the Commission, which may include requirements that such person (i) provide background information; (ii) demonstrate, in a manner satisfactory to the Commission, financial responsibility; (iii) post a bond as deemed adequate by the Commission to ensure that financial responsibility; (iv) pay an annual license fee to be determined by the Commission; and (v) pay all taxes and fees lawfully imposed by the Commonwealth or by any municipality or other political subdivision of the Commonwealth. In addition, as a condition of obtaining, retaining and renewing any license pursuant to this section, a person shall satisfy such reasonable and nondiscriminatory requirements as may be specified by the Commission, including, but not limited to, requirements that such person demonstrate technical capabilities as the Commission may deem appropriate. Any license issued by the Commission pursuant to this section may be conditioned upon the licensee, if acting as a supplier, furnishing to the Commission prior to the provision of electricity to consumers proof of adequate access to generation and generation reserves.
C. In establishing aggregator licensing schemes and requirements applicable to the same, the Commission may differentiate between (i) those aggregators representing retail customers only, (ii) those aggregators representing suppliers only, and (iii) those aggregators representing both retail customers and suppliers.
D. 1. The Commission shall establish a reasonable period within which any retail customer may cancel, without penalty or cost, any contract entered into with an aggregator licensed pursuant to this section.
2. The Commission may adopt other rules and regulations governing the requirements for obtaining, retaining, and renewing a license to aggregate electric energy to retail customers, and may, as appropriate, refuse to issue a license to, or suspend, revoke, or refuse to renew the license of, any person that does not meet those requirements.
1999, c. 411; 2000, c. 991.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 56 - Public Service Companies › Chapter 23 - Virginia Electric Utility Regulation Act › § 56-589. Municipal and state aggregation

A. Subject to the provisions of subdivision A 3 of § 56-577, counties, cities, and towns (hereafter municipalities) and other political subdivisions of the Commonwealth may, at their election and upon authorization by majority votes of their governing bodies, aggregate electrical energy and demand requirements for the purpose of negotiating the purchase of electrical energy requirements from any licensed supplier within this Commonwealth, as follows:
1. Any municipality or other political subdivision of the Commonwealth may aggregate the electric energy load of residential, commercial, and industrial retail customers within its boundaries on an opt-in or opt-out basis.
2. Any municipality or other political subdivision of the Commonwealth may aggregate the electric energy load of its governmental buildings, facilities, and any other governmental operations requiring the consumption of electric energy. Aggregation pursuant to this subdivision shall not require licensure pursuant to § 56-588.
3. Two or more municipalities or other political subdivisions within the Commonwealth may aggregate the electric energy load of their governmental buildings, facilities, and any other governmental operations requiring the consumption of electric energy. Aggregation pursuant to this subdivision shall not require licensure pursuant to § 56-588 when such municipalities or other political subdivisions are acting jointly to negotiate or arrange for themselves agreements for their energy needs directly with licensed suppliers or aggregators.
Nothing in this subsection shall prohibit the Commission's development and implementation of pilot programs for opt-in, opt-out, or any other type of municipal aggregation, as provided in § 56-577.
B. The Commonwealth, at its election, may aggregate the electric energy load of its governmental buildings, facilities, and any other government operations requiring the consumption of electric energy for the purpose of negotiating the purchase of electricity from any licensed supplier within the Commonwealth. Aggregation pursuant to this subsection shall not require licensure pursuant to § 56-588.
C. Nothing in this section shall preclude municipalities from aggregating the electric energy load of their governmental buildings, facilities and any other governmental operations requiring the consumption of electric energy for the purpose of negotiating rates and terms, and conditions of service from the electric utility certificated by the Commission to serve the territory in which such buildings, facilities and operations are located, provided, however, that no such electric energy load shall be aggregated for this purpose unless all such buildings, facilities and operations to be aggregated are served by the same electric utility.
1999, c. 411; 2000, c. 991; 2003, c. 795; 2004, c. 827; 2007, cc. 888, 933.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 56 - Public Service Companies › Chapter 23 - Virginia Electric Utility Regulation Act › § 56-589.1. Energy generation by public school buildings and facilities

A. A school board of a school division located in a locality that is a non-jurisdictional customer of a utility pursuant to § 56-234 and that owns or operates a public school building or facility that has been modernized consistent with Article 3 (§ 22.1-141.1 et seq.) of Chapter 9 of Title 22.1 and generates energy derived from sunlight and the solar generating facility is interconnected pursuant to § 56-594 may enter into a contract to generate such energy on terms and conditions negotiated between the customer and the utility.
B. The solar-powered renewable energy generation facilities associated with a public school building or facility owned or operated by a school board shall be located on the same real property upon which the public school buildings and facilities are located. The solar facilities shall be located on the rooftops of the public school buildings and facilities, however up to 20 percent of the capacity may come from ground mounted solar facilities.
C. Neither jurisdictional customers nor non-jurisdictional customers that do not participate in a school modernization project consistent with Article 3 (§ 22.1-141.1 et seq.) of Chapter 9 of Title 22.1 shall bear any costs associated with such school modernization project by a participating non-jurisdictional customer.
2019, cc. 818, 819.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 56 - Public Service Companies › Chapter 23 - Virginia Electric Utility Regulation Act › § 56-592.1. Consumer education program; scope and funding

A. The Commission shall establish and implement the consumer education program developed pursuant to subsection A of § 56-592. In establishing such a program, the Commission shall take into account the findings and recommendations of the subgroup on Information/Consumer Education that was established in conjunction with the Commission's proceeding in Case PUE-2007-00049, that implemented the third enactment of Chapters 888 and 933 of the Acts of Assembly of 2007.
B. The program shall be designed to (i) enable consumers to make rational and informed choices about the matters described in subsection A of § 56-592, including but not limited to demand side management, energy conservation, and energy efficiency, (ii) help consumers reduce transaction costs in making decisions regarding such matters, and (iii) foster compliance with the consumer protection provisions of this chapter.
C. The Commission shall regularly consult with representatives of consumer organizations, community-based groups, state agencies, incumbent utilities, and other interested parties throughout the program's implementation and operation.
D. Pursuant to the provisions of § 30-205, the Commission shall provide periodic updates to the Commission on Electric Utility Regulation concerning the program's implementation and operation.
E. The Commission shall fund the establishment and operation of such consumer education program through the special regulatory revenue tax currently authorized by § 58.1-2660 and the special regulatory tax authorized by Chapter 29 (§ 58.1-2900 et seq.) of Title 58.1.
2000, c. 991; 2003, c. 885; 2008, c. 883.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 56 - Public Service Companies › Chapter 23 - Virginia Electric Utility Regulation Act › § 56-594.1. Interconnection by farms

A. As used in this section, "eligible farm" means an entity that owns or operates facilities within the Commonwealth for the generation of electric energy, which entity is described in subdivision (b)(10) of § 56-265.1.
B. Eligible farms shall be permitted to connect to the electrical grid in order to feed into the grid electricity generated by the eligible farm from its facilities that generate electricity from a waste-to-energy technology.
C. The Commission shall adopt regulations to implement this section pursuant to § 56-578.
2009, c. 746.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 56 - Public Service Companies › Chapter 23 - Virginia Electric Utility Regulation Act › § 56-596. Consideration of economic development; report

A. In all relevant proceedings pursuant to this Act, the Commission shall take into consideration, among other things, the goal of economic development in the Commonwealth.
B. By September 1 of each year, the Commission shall report to the Commission on Electric Utility Regulation and the Governor on the status of the implementation of this chapter and its recommendations regarding the implementation of the provisions of this chapter. This report shall include the Commission's recommendations for any actions by the General Assembly, the Commission, electric utilities, or any other entity that the Commission considers to be in the public interest.
2001, c. 748; 2003, c. 885; 2008, c. 883.