{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/56-231.23.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/56-231.23.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/56-231.23.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/56-231.23.html"}],"law_id":72128,"edition_id":1,"section_id":72128,"structure_id":13548,"section_number":"56-231.23","catch_line":"General powers granted","history":"1999, c. 874; 2000, cc. 944, 999.","full_text":"Each cooperative formed under this article shall have power to do any and all lawful acts or things including, but not limited to the power:\n\n1\n\nTo produce, generate, gather, store, transport, transmit, distribute, buy and sell energy and energy-related products.2\n\nTo sue and be sued.3\n\nTo have a seal and alter the same at pleasure.4\n\nTo acquire, hold and dispose of property, real and personal, tangible and intangible, or interests therein and to pay therefor in cash or property or on credit, and to secure and procure payment of all or any part of the purchase price thereof on such terms and conditions as the board shall determine.5\n\nTo render service and to acquire, own, operate, maintain and improve a system or systems.6\n\nTo accept gifts or grants of money or of property, real or personal, from any person, municipality or federal agency and to accept voluntary or uncompensated services.7\n\nTo sell, lease, mortgage or otherwise encumber or dispose of all or any parts of its property, as hereinafter provided.8\n\nTo contract debts, borrow money and to issue or assume the payment of bonds, and other obligations.9\n\nTo fix, maintain and collect reasonable fees, rents, tolls and other charges for service rendered.10\n\nTo exercise, with respect to its providing regulated utility service, all the powers set forth in § 56-49, including the power of eminent domain as prescribed for other public service corporations by general law.11\n\nTo assist its members and nonmember customers, by loans or otherwise, in the acquisition by them of such installation and wiring, and the obtaining of such machinery, equipment and appliances, as will enable them to secure the greatest benefit from the use of utility services supplied by the cooperative.12\n\nTo issue nonassessable nonvoting common and preferred capital stock or similar securities and pay dividends thereon.13\n\nTo become a member or stockholder in one or more other cooperatives or corporations created to engage in any business not prohibited by law, including, but not limited to, other types of public service company business.14\n\nTo perform any and all of the foregoing acts and do any and all of the foregoing things under, through or by means of its own officers, agents and employees, or by contracts with any person, federal agency or municipality.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":259876,"text":"Each cooperative formed under this article shall have power to do any and all lawful acts or things including, but not limited to the power:","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"next_prefix":"1"},"1":{"id":259877,"text":"To produce, generate, gather, store, transport, transmit, distribute, buy and sell energy and energy-related products.","type":"section","prefixes":["1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"1","prefix_anchor":"1","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":"2"},"2":{"id":259878,"text":"To sue and be sued.","type":"section","prefixes":["2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"2","prefix_anchor":"2","level":1,"prior_prefix":"1","next_prefix":"3"},"3":{"id":259879,"text":"To have a seal and alter the same at pleasure.","type":"section","prefixes":["3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"3","prefix_anchor":"3","level":1,"prior_prefix":"2","next_prefix":"4"},"4":{"id":259880,"text":"To acquire, hold and dispose of property, real and personal, tangible and intangible, or interests therein and to pay therefor in cash or property or on credit, and to secure and procure payment of all or any part of the purchase price thereof on such terms and conditions as the board shall determine.","type":"section","prefixes":["4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"4","prefix_anchor":"4","level":1,"prior_prefix":"3","next_prefix":"5"},"5":{"id":259881,"text":"To render service and to acquire, own, operate, maintain and improve a system or systems.","type":"section","prefixes":["5"],"prefix":"5","entire_prefix":"5","prefix_anchor":"5","level":1,"prior_prefix":"4","next_prefix":"6"},"6":{"id":259882,"text":"To accept gifts or grants of money or of property, real or personal, from any person, municipality or federal agency and to accept voluntary or uncompensated services.","type":"section","prefixes":["6"],"prefix":"6","entire_prefix":"6","prefix_anchor":"6","level":1,"prior_prefix":"5","next_prefix":"7"},"7":{"id":259883,"text":"To sell, lease, mortgage or otherwise encumber or dispose of all or any parts of its property, as hereinafter provided.","type":"section","prefixes":["7"],"prefix":"7","entire_prefix":"7","prefix_anchor":"7","level":1,"prior_prefix":"6","next_prefix":"8"},"8":{"id":259884,"text":"To contract debts, borrow money and to issue or assume the payment of bonds, and other obligations.","type":"section","prefixes":["8"],"prefix":"8","entire_prefix":"8","prefix_anchor":"8","level":1,"prior_prefix":"7","next_prefix":"9"},"9":{"id":259885,"text":"To fix, maintain and collect reasonable fees, rents, tolls and other charges for service rendered.","type":"section","prefixes":["9"],"prefix":"9","entire_prefix":"9","prefix_anchor":"9","level":1,"prior_prefix":"8","next_prefix":"10"},"10":{"id":259886,"text":"To exercise, with respect to its providing regulated utility service, all the powers set forth in § 56-49, including the power of eminent domain as prescribed for other public service corporations by general law.","type":"section","prefixes":["10"],"prefix":"10","entire_prefix":"10","prefix_anchor":"10","level":1,"prior_prefix":"9","next_prefix":"11"},"11":{"id":259887,"text":"To assist its members and nonmember customers, by loans or otherwise, in the acquisition by them of such installation and wiring, and the obtaining of such machinery, equipment and appliances, as will enable them to secure the greatest benefit from the use of utility services supplied by the cooperative.","type":"section","prefixes":["11"],"prefix":"11","entire_prefix":"11","prefix_anchor":"11","level":1,"prior_prefix":"10","next_prefix":"12"},"12":{"id":259888,"text":"To issue nonassessable nonvoting common and preferred capital stock or similar securities and pay dividends thereon.","type":"section","prefixes":["12"],"prefix":"12","entire_prefix":"12","prefix_anchor":"12","level":1,"prior_prefix":"11","next_prefix":"13"},"13":{"id":259889,"text":"To become a member or stockholder in one or more other cooperatives or corporations created to engage in any business not prohibited by law, including, but not limited to, other types of public service company business.","type":"section","prefixes":["13"],"prefix":"13","entire_prefix":"13","prefix_anchor":"13","level":1,"prior_prefix":"12","next_prefix":"14"},"14":{"id":259890,"text":"To perform any and all of the foregoing acts and do any and all of the foregoing things under, through or by means of its own officers, agents and employees, or by contracts with any person, federal agency or municipality.","type":"section","prefixes":["14"],"prefix":"14","entire_prefix":"14","prefix_anchor":"14","level":1,"prior_prefix":"13"}},"ancestry":[{"id":13548,"edition_id":1,"name":"Utility Consumer Services Cooperatives Act","identifier":"1","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13182,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:45:11","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:45:11","permalink":{"id":251325,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13548,"identifier":"1","token":"56\/9.1\/1","url":"\/56\/9.1\/1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13182,"edition_id":1,"name":"Utility Consumer Services Cooperatives and Utility Aggregation Cooperatives","identifier":"9.1","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12881,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:24","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:24","permalink":{"id":251323,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13182,"identifier":"9.1","token":"56\/9.1","url":"\/56\/9.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12881,"edition_id":1,"name":"Public Service Companies","identifier":"56","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:58","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:58","permalink":{"id":248473,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12881,"identifier":"56","token":"56","url":"\/56\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":77567,"structure_id":13548,"section_number":"56-231.15","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/56-231.15\/","token":"56\/9.1\/1\/56-231.15","metadata":false},{"id":69452,"structure_id":13548,"section_number":"56-231.16","catch_line":"Organization; purpose","url":"\/56-231.16\/","token":"56\/9.1\/1\/56-231.16","metadata":false},{"id":84775,"structure_id":13548,"section_number":"56-231.17","catch_line":"Articles of incorporation","url":"\/56-231.17\/","token":"56\/9.1\/1\/56-231.17","metadata":false},{"id":62056,"structure_id":13548,"section_number":"56-231.18","catch_line":"Name of other corporations not to include term \"electric cooperative\" or \"utility consumer services cooperative.\"","url":"\/56-231.18\/","token":"56\/9.1\/1\/56-231.18","metadata":false},{"id":56649,"structure_id":13548,"section_number":"56-231.19","catch_line":"Filing articles of incorporation; effect thereof; other provisions of law applicable","url":"\/56-231.19\/","token":"56\/9.1\/1\/56-231.19","metadata":false},{"id":56722,"structure_id":13548,"section_number":"56-231.20","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/56-231.20\/","token":"56\/9.1\/1\/56-231.20","metadata":false},{"id":63207,"structure_id":13548,"section_number":"56-231.21","catch_line":"Dissolution and termination of cooperatives","url":"\/56-231.21\/","token":"56\/9.1\/1\/56-231.21","metadata":false},{"id":83080,"structure_id":13548,"section_number":"56-231.22","catch_line":"Charter amendments","url":"\/56-231.22\/","token":"56\/9.1\/1\/56-231.22","metadata":false},{"id":72128,"structure_id":13548,"section_number":"56-231.23","catch_line":"General powers granted","url":"\/56-231.23\/","token":"56\/9.1\/1\/56-231.23","metadata":false},{"id":81307,"structure_id":13548,"section_number":"56-231.24","catch_line":"Power to dispose of property","url":"\/56-231.24\/","token":"56\/9.1\/1\/56-231.24","metadata":false},{"id":73620,"structure_id":13548,"section_number":"56-231.25","catch_line":"Power to issue obligations","url":"\/56-231.25\/","token":"56\/9.1\/1\/56-231.25","metadata":false},{"id":82512,"structure_id":13548,"section_number":"56-231.26","catch_line":"Covenants in connection with obligations","url":"\/56-231.26\/","token":"56\/9.1\/1\/56-231.26","metadata":false},{"id":56541,"structure_id":13548,"section_number":"56-231.27","catch_line":"Power to purchase its own obligations","url":"\/56-231.27\/","token":"56\/9.1\/1\/56-231.27","metadata":false},{"id":54513,"structure_id":13548,"section_number":"56-231.28","catch_line":"Board of directors of cooperatives","url":"\/56-231.28\/","token":"56\/9.1\/1\/56-231.28","metadata":false},{"id":55041,"structure_id":13548,"section_number":"56-231.29","catch_line":"Powers of board of directors","url":"\/56-231.29\/","token":"56\/9.1\/1\/56-231.29","metadata":false},{"id":62265,"structure_id":13548,"section_number":"56-231.30","catch_line":"Rights and liabilities of members","url":"\/56-231.30\/","token":"56\/9.1\/1\/56-231.30","metadata":false},{"id":63250,"structure_id":13548,"section_number":"56-231.31","catch_line":"Payment of certain patronage capital to spouse or next of kin of deceased person","url":"\/56-231.31\/","token":"56\/9.1\/1\/56-231.31","metadata":false},{"id":82313,"structure_id":13548,"section_number":"56-231.31:1","catch_line":"Donation of certain patronage capital to the cooperative","url":"\/56-231.31_1\/","token":"56\/9.1\/1\/56-231.31_1","metadata":false},{"id":59045,"structure_id":13548,"section_number":"56-231.32","catch_line":"Service to members","url":"\/56-231.32\/","token":"56\/9.1\/1\/56-231.32","metadata":false},{"id":75936,"structure_id":13548,"section_number":"56-231.33","catch_line":"Adequate service; rates","url":"\/56-231.33\/","token":"56\/9.1\/1\/56-231.33","metadata":false},{"id":66118,"structure_id":13548,"section_number":"56-231.34","catch_line":"Regulation by Commission","url":"\/56-231.34\/","token":"56\/9.1\/1\/56-231.34","metadata":false},{"id":71119,"structure_id":13548,"section_number":"56-231.34:1","catch_line":"Separation of regulated and unregulated businesses","url":"\/56-231.34_1\/","token":"56\/9.1\/1\/56-231.34_1","metadata":false},{"id":82749,"structure_id":13548,"section_number":"56-231.34:2","catch_line":"Right of action; violation of rules or regulations","url":"\/56-231.34_2\/","token":"56\/9.1\/1\/56-231.34_2","metadata":false},{"id":69534,"structure_id":13548,"section_number":"56-231.35","catch_line":"Charter fees, etc","url":"\/56-231.35\/","token":"56\/9.1\/1\/56-231.35","metadata":false},{"id":58392,"structure_id":13548,"section_number":"56-231.36","catch_line":"Construction of article; conflicting laws","url":"\/56-231.36\/","token":"56\/9.1\/1\/56-231.36","metadata":false},{"id":85836,"structure_id":13548,"section_number":"56-231.37","catch_line":"How article cited","url":"\/56-231.37\/","token":"56\/9.1\/1\/56-231.37","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":83080,"structure_id":13548,"section_number":"56-231.22","catch_line":"Charter amendments","url":"\/56-231.22\/","token":"56\/9.1\/1\/56-231.22","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":81307,"structure_id":13548,"section_number":"56-231.24","catch_line":"Power to dispose of property","url":"\/56-231.24\/","token":"56\/9.1\/1\/56-231.24","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/56-231.23\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1999. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 874<\/a> of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. It has been modified 1 time. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. That modification is as follows: in 2000, chapters 944<\/a> and 999<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":[{"id":54611,"section_number":"56-49","catch_line":"Powers","order_by":null,"url":"\/56-49\/"}],"permalink":{"id":251359,"object_type":"law","relational_id":72128,"identifier":"56-231.23","token":"56\/9.1\/1\/56-231.23","url":"\/56-231.23\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/56-231.23\/","token":"56\/9.1\/1\/56-231.23","dublin_core":{"Title":"General powers granted","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 56-231.23","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

Each cooperative<\/span> formed under this article shall have power to do any and all lawful acts or things including, but not limited to the power:<\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> To produce, generate, gather, store, transport, transmit, distribute, buy and sell energy<\/span> and energy<\/span>-related products. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> To sue and be sued. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> To have a seal and alter the same at pleasure. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> To acquire<\/span>, hold and dispose of property, real and personal, tangible and intangible, or interests therein and to pay therefor in cash or property or on credit, and to secure and procure payment of all or any part of the purchase price thereof on such terms and conditions as the board<\/span> shall determine. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

5.<\/span> To render service and to acquire<\/span>, own, operate, maintain and improve<\/span> a system<\/span> or systems<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

6.<\/span> To accept gifts or grants of money or of property, real or personal, from any person<\/span>, municipality<\/span> or federal agency<\/span> and to accept voluntary or uncompensated services. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

7.<\/span> To sell, lease, mortgage or otherwise encumber or dispose of all or any parts of its property, as hereinafter provided. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

8.<\/span> To contract<\/span> debts, borrow money and to issue<\/span> or assume the payment of bonds<\/span>, and other obligations<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

9.<\/span> To fix, maintain and collect reasonable fees, rents, tolls and other charges for service rendered. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

10.<\/span> To exercise, with respect to its providing regulated utility service, all the powers set forth in § 56-49<\/a>, including the power of eminent domain as prescribed for other public service corporations<\/span> by general law<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

11.<\/span> To assist its members<\/span> and nonmember customers, by loans or otherwise, in the acquisition by them of such installation and wiring, and the obtaining of such machinery, equipment and appliances, as will enable them to secure the greatest benefit from the use of utility services<\/span> supplied by the cooperative<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

12.<\/span> To issue<\/span> nonassessable nonvoting common and preferred capital stock or similar securities and pay dividends thereon. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

13.<\/span> To become a member<\/span> or stockholder in one or more other cooperatives<\/span> or corporations created to engage in any business not prohibited by law<\/span>, including, but not limited to, other types of public service company<\/span> business. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

14.<\/span> To perform any and all of the foregoing acts and do any and all of the foregoing things under, through or by means of its own officers, agents and employees, or by contracts<\/span> with any person<\/span>, federal agency<\/span> or municipality<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nGENERAL POWERS GRANTED (\u00a7 56-231.23)\n\nEach cooperative formed under this article shall have power to do any and all\nlawful acts or things including, but not limited to the power:\n\n1. To produce, generate, gather, store, transport, transmit, distribute, buy and\nsell energy and energy-related products.\n\n2. To sue and be sued.\n\n3. To have a seal and alter the same at pleasure.\n\n4. To acquire, hold and dispose of property, real and personal, tangible and\nintangible, or interests therein and to pay therefor in cash or property or on\ncredit, and to secure and procure payment of all or any part of the purchase\nprice thereof on such terms and conditions as the board shall determine.\n\n5. To render service and to acquire, own, operate, maintain and improve a system\nor systems.\n\n6. To accept gifts or grants of money or of property, real or personal, from any\nperson, municipality or federal agency and to accept voluntary or uncompensated\nservices.\n\n7. To sell, lease, mortgage or otherwise encumber or dispose of all or any parts\nof its property, as hereinafter provided.\n\n8. To contract debts, borrow money and to issue or assume the payment of bonds,\nand other obligations.\n\n9. To fix, maintain and collect reasonable fees, rents, tolls and other charges\nfor service rendered.\n\n10. To exercise, with respect to its providing regulated utility service, all\nthe powers set forth in § 56-49, including the power of eminent domain as\nprescribed for other public service corporations by general law.\n\n11. To assist its members and nonmember customers, by loans or otherwise, in the\nacquisition by them of such installation and wiring, and the obtaining of such\nmachinery, equipment and appliances, as will enable them to secure the greatest\nbenefit from the use of utility services supplied by the cooperative.\n\n12. To issue nonassessable nonvoting common and preferred capital stock or\nsimilar securities and pay dividends thereon.\n\n13. To become a member or stockholder in one or more other cooperatives or\ncorporations created to engage in any business not prohibited by law, including,\nbut not limited to, other types of public service company business.\n\n14. To perform any and all of the foregoing acts and do any and all of the\nforegoing things under, through or by means of its own officers, agents and\nemployees, or by contracts with any person, federal agency or municipality.\n\nHISTORY: 1999, c. 874; 2000, cc. 944, 999.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}