Opinion ID: 1293123
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: First Ground

Text: Invoking the emergency power statutes, [2] the Commission said that it had concluded that it properly could interpret Code §§ 58-603 and 58-661 (gross receipts taxes) to relieve gas companies of payment of such taxes upon receipts derived from emergency transfers of gas by a utility with gas to spare to another such utility with insufficient gas to meet the requirements of its customers. Borrowing from the language of § 56-250, the Commission interpreted that statute particularly to vest it with the broadest discretion . . . to authorize [a] public utility to take such actions as . . . will minimize adverse impact on the public health and safety. The opinion further explained that the Commission had determined that emergency spot sales were . . . unrelated to the exercise of franchise rights . . . and, therefore, [revenues from such sales] were distinguishable from gross receipts expected to be taxed under §§ 58-603 and 58-661.