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.
Structure Code of Virginia
Title 56 - Public Service Companies
Chapter 10 - Heat, Light, Power, Water and Other Utility Companies Generally
§ 56-232. Public utility and schedules defined
§ 56-232.1. Regulation of service by certain gas pipeline companies to municipalities
§ 56-232.2. Regulation of compressed natural gas service
§ 56-232.2:1. Regulation of electric vehicle charging service
§ 56-233.1. Public utilities purchasing practices
§ 56-234. Duty to furnish adequate service at reasonable and uniform rates
§ 56-234.4. Authority to investigate utility operations to determine efficiency
§ 56-234.5. Required disclosure by certain officers and directors of certain utilities
§ 56-235. When Commission may fix rates, schedules, etc.; conformance with chapter
§ 56-235.1. Conservation of energy and capital resources
§ 56-235.1:1. Rates for stand-by electric service at renewable cogeneration facilities
§ 56-235.1:2. Costs of using small, women-owned, or minority-owned businesses
§ 56-235.3. Procedures for investigation of rate applications
§ 56-235.4. Prohibition of multiple rate increases within any twelve-month period; exception
§ 56-235.5. Telephone regulatory alternatives
§ 56-235.5:1. Local exchange telephone service competition policy
§ 56-235.6. Optional performance-based regulation of certain utilities
§ 56-235.8. Retail supply choice for natural gas customers
§ 56-235.10. Recovery of eligible safety activity costs; administration; procedure
§ 56-235.11. Retail rates of affiliated water utilities
§ 56-235.12. Economic development programs
§ 56-236.1. Rates to be charged churches
§ 56-236.2. Suspension of service to sewerage system
§ 56-237. How changes in rates effected; notice required; changes to be indicated on schedules
§ 56-237.2. Public hearings on protests or objections to rate changes
§ 56-239. Appeal from action of Commission
§ 56-241. Rates of telephone companies
§ 56-241.1. Flat and measured telephone rates; certain rates prohibited
§ 56-241.2. Approval of rates for resale of telephone service
§ 56-242. Temporary reduction of rates
§ 56-243. Duration of such temporary reduction
§ 56-244. Increase to make up for losses due to excessive temporary reduction
§ 56-245. Temporary increase in rates
§ 56-245.1. Meters to be kept in good working condition; defective meters
§ 56-245.1:1. Customers to be notified about nuclear emergency evacuation plans
§ 56-245.1:2. Customers to be notified of renewable power options
§ 56-245.3. Commission to promulgate regulations and standards
§ 56-246. Tests and equipment therefor
§ 56-247. Commission may change regulations, measurements, practices, services, or acts
§ 56-247.1. Commission to require public utilities to follow certain procedures
§ 56-248. Commission to prescribe standard units of products or service
§ 56-248.1. Commission to monitor fuel prices and utility fuel purchases; fuel price index
§ 56-249. Reports by utilities
§ 56-249.2. Certain records to be maintained
§ 56-249.4. How reports shall be filed; reports open to public; rules and regulations
§ 56-249.6. Recovery of fuel and purchased power costs
§ 56-249.7. Certain directors and officers of utility to file shareholder information
§ 56-250. Commission may authorize action by public utility in time of emergency or shortage; plans
§ 56-253. Existing remedies retained
§ 56-254. Sale or lease of plants to cities or towns
§ 56-255. Extension of electric service to territory not being served
§ 56-256. Powers of corporations generally; rights, powers, privileges and immunities, etc.
§ 56-256.1. Height of electric power distribution lines over agricultural land
§ 56-257. Manner of installing underground utility lines
§ 56-257.1. Means of locating nonmetallic underground conduits
§ 56-257.2. Gas pipeline safety
§ 56-257.5. Manner of installing underground utility lines through agricultural operation
§ 56-258. Who to permit laying of pipelines in roads
§ 56-259.1. Instruments conveying easements to public service corporations
§ 56-260. Compensation for damages
§ 56-260.1. Contract provisions exempting company from liability unlawful
§ 56-261. Duties of companies furnishing water or sewerage facilities
§ 56-261.1. Duties of water and sewerage companies in certain counties
§ 56-261.2. Hydrant connections and water supply for fire protection in certain counties
§ 56-262. Proceeding upon failure of public service corporation to perform duties
§ 56-263. Commission may order increase in service
§ 56-264. Quo warranto in case of failure to comply with order of Commission
§ 56-264.1. Collection of rates, fees and charges