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.
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