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.
Structure Code of Virginia
Title 56 - Public Service Companies
Chapter 23 - Virginia Electric Utility Regulation Act
§ 56-577.1. Electric utilities; retail competition; pilot program
§ 56-578. Nondiscriminatory access to transmission and distribution system
§ 56-579. Regional transmission entities
§ 56-580. Transmission and distribution of electric energy
§ 56-581. Regulation of rates subject to Commission's jurisdiction
§ 56-585.1. Generation, distribution, and transmission rates after capped rates terminate or expire
§ 56-585.1:2. Pilot program for energy assistance and weatherization
§ 56-585.1:3. Pilot programs for community solar development
§ 56-585.1:5. Pilot program for underground transmission lines
§ 56-585.1:6. Pilot Programs to deploy electric power storage batteries
§ 56-585.1:7. Pilot program for electric generation by public schools
§ 56-585.1:8. Pilot program for municipal net energy metering
§ 56-585.1:9. Provision of broadband capacity to unserved areas of the Commonwealth
§ 56-585.1:11. Development of offshore wind capacity
§ 56-585.1:12. Multi-family shared solar program
§ 56-585.1:13. Recovery of costs associated with investment in transportation electification
§ 56-585.3. Regulation of cooperative rates after rate caps
§ 56-585.4. Net energy metering transition provisions for electric cooperatives
§ 56-585.5. Generation of electricity from renewable and zero carbon sources
§ 56-585.6. Universal service fee; Percentage of Income Payment Program and Fund
§ 56-585.7. On-bill tariff program; electric cooperatives
§ 56-586. Emergency service provider
§ 56-586.1. Electric energy emergencies
§ 56-588. Licensing of aggregators
§ 56-589. Municipal and state aggregation
§ 56-589.1. Energy generation by public school buildings and facilities
§ 56-590. Divestiture, functional separation and other corporate relationships
§ 56-591. Application of antitrust laws
§ 56-592. Consumer education and marketing practices
§ 56-592.1. Consumer education program; scope and funding
§ 56-593. Retail customers' private right of action; marketing practices
§ 56-594. Net energy metering provisions
§ 56-594.01. Net energy metering provisions for electric cooperative service territories
§ 56-594.01:1. Local facilities usage charges; electric cooperatives
§ 56-594.1. Interconnection by farms
§ 56-594.2. Small agricultural generators
§ 56-594.3. Shared solar programs
§ 56-596. Consideration of economic development; report
§ 56-596.1. New generating facilities utilizing energy derived from sunlight and from wind; report
§ 56-596.2. Energy efficiency programs; financial assistance for low-income customers
§ 56-596.2:1. Incentives for energy conservation measures and solar energy equipment
§ 56-596.3. Electric generation, transmission, and distribution; report