{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/56-231.33.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/56-231.33.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/56-231.33.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/56-231.33.html"}],"law_id":75936,"edition_id":1,"section_id":75936,"structure_id":13548,"section_number":"56-231.33","catch_line":"Adequate service; rates","history":"1999, c. 874; 2000, cc. 944, 999.","full_text":"Regulated utility services offered by a cooperative shall be reasonably adequate, subject to the regulations of the Commission, as provided in \u00a7 56-231.34. The charge made by any such cooperative for any regulated utility service rendered or to be rendered, either directly or in connection therewith, shall be nondiscriminatory, reasonable and just, and every discriminatory, unjust or unreasonable charge for such regulated utility service is prohibited and declared unlawful. Reasonable and just charges for service within the meaning of this section shall be such charges as shall produce sufficient revenue to pay all legal and other necessary expenses incident to the operation of the system, and shall include but not be limited to maintenance cost, operating charges, interest charges on bonds or other obligations, to recover such stranded costs and transition costs as may be authorized in this title, to provide for the liquidation of bonds or other evidences of indebtedness, to provide adequate funds to be used as working capital, as well as reasonable reserves and funds for making replacements and also for the payment of any taxes that may be assessed against such cooperative or its property, it being the intent and purpose hereof that such charges shall produce an income sufficient to maintain such cooperative property in a sound physical and financial condition to render adequate and efficient service and additional amounts that must be realized by the cooperative to meet the requirement of any rate covenant with respect to coverage of principal of and interest on its debt contained in any indenture, mortgage, or other contract with holders of its debt, provided that any such indenture, mortgage or other contract must have been approved by the Commission pursuant to Chapter 3 (\u00a7 56-55 et seq.) of this title. Any rate for regulated utility services that is too low to meet the foregoing requirements shall be unlawful.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":272631,"text":"Regulated utility services offered by a cooperative shall be reasonably adequate, subject to the regulations of the Commission, as provided in \u00a7 56-231.34. The charge made by any such cooperative for any regulated utility service rendered or to be rendered, either directly or in connection therewith, shall be nondiscriminatory, reasonable and just, and every discriminatory, unjust or unreasonable charge for such regulated utility service is prohibited and declared unlawful. Reasonable and just charges for service within the meaning of this section shall be such charges as shall produce sufficient revenue to pay all legal and other necessary expenses incident to the operation of the system, and shall include but not be limited to maintenance cost, operating charges, interest charges on bonds or other obligations, to recover such stranded costs and transition costs as may be authorized in this title, to provide for the liquidation of bonds or other evidences of indebtedness, to provide adequate funds to be used as working capital, as well as reasonable reserves and funds for making replacements and also for the payment of any taxes that may be assessed against such cooperative or its property, it being the intent and purpose hereof that such charges shall produce an income sufficient to maintain such cooperative property in a sound physical and financial condition to render adequate and efficient service and additional amounts that must be realized by the cooperative to meet the requirement of any rate covenant with respect to coverage of principal of and interest on its debt contained in any indenture, mortgage, or other contract with holders of its debt, provided that any such indenture, mortgage or other contract must have been approved by the Commission pursuant to Chapter 3 (\u00a7 56-55 et seq.) of this title. Any rate for regulated utility services that is too low to meet the foregoing requirements shall be unlawful.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1}},"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":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},"next_section":{"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},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/56-231.33\/","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":[{"id":75586,"section_number":"56-582","catch_line":"Rate caps","order_by":null,"url":"\/56-582\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":66118,"section_number":"56-231.34","catch_line":"Regulation by Commission","order_by":null,"url":"\/56-231.34\/"},{"id":63393,"section_number":"56-55","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/56-55\/"}],"permalink":{"id":251403,"object_type":"law","relational_id":75936,"identifier":"56-231.33","token":"56\/9.1\/1\/56-231.33","url":"\/56-231.33\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/56-231.33\/","token":"56\/9.1\/1\/56-231.33","dublin_core":{"Title":"Adequate service; rates","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 56-231.33","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

Regulated utility services<\/span> offered by a cooperative<\/span> shall be reasonably adequate, subject to the regulations of the Commission<\/span>, as provided in \u00a7 56-231.34<\/a>. The charge made by any such cooperative<\/span> for any regulated utility service rendered or to be rendered, either directly or in connection therewith, shall be nondiscriminatory, reasonable and just, and every discriminatory, unjust or unreasonable charge for such regulated utility service is prohibited and declared unlawful. Reasonable and just charges for service within the meaning of this section shall be such charges as shall produce sufficient revenue to pay all legal and other necessary expenses incident to the operation of the system<\/span>, and shall include but not be limited to maintenance cost, operating charges, interest charges on bonds<\/span> or other obligations<\/span>, to recover such stranded costs and transition costs as may be authorized in this title, to provide for the liquidation<\/span> of bonds<\/span> or other evidences<\/span> of indebtedness, to provide adequate funds to be used as working capital, as well as reasonable reserves and funds for making replacements and also for the payment of any taxes that may be assessed against such cooperative<\/span> or its property, it being the intent<\/span> and purpose hereof that such charges shall produce an income sufficient to maintain such cooperative<\/span> property in a sound physical and financial condition to render adequate and efficient service and additional amounts that must be realized by the cooperative<\/span> to meet the requirement of any rate<\/span> covenant with respect to coverage of principal of and interest on its debt contained in any indenture, mortgage, or other contract<\/span> with holders of its debt, provided that any such indenture, mortgage or other contract<\/span> must have been approved by the Commission<\/span> pursuant to Chapter 3 (\u00a7 56-55<\/a> et seq.) of this title. Any rate<\/span> for regulated utility services<\/span> that is too low to meet the foregoing requirements shall be unlawful.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nADEQUATE SERVICE; RATES (\u00a7 56-231.33)\n\nRegulated utility services offered by a cooperative shall be reasonably\nadequate, subject to the regulations of the Commission, as provided in \u00a7\n56-231.34. The charge made by any such cooperative for any regulated utility\nservice rendered or to be rendered, either directly or in connection therewith,\nshall be nondiscriminatory, reasonable and just, and every discriminatory,\nunjust or unreasonable charge for such regulated utility service is prohibited\nand declared unlawful. Reasonable and just charges for service within the\nmeaning of this section shall be such charges as shall produce sufficient\nrevenue to pay all legal and other necessary expenses incident to the operation\nof the system, and shall include but not be limited to maintenance cost,\noperating charges, interest charges on bonds or other obligations, to recover\nsuch stranded costs and transition costs as may be authorized in this title, to\nprovide for the liquidation of bonds or other evidences of indebtedness, to\nprovide adequate funds to be used as working capital, as well as reasonable\nreserves and funds for making replacements and also for the payment of any taxes\nthat may be assessed against such cooperative or its property, it being the\nintent and purpose hereof that such charges shall produce an income sufficient\nto maintain such cooperative property in a sound physical and financial\ncondition to render adequate and efficient service and additional amounts that\nmust be realized by the cooperative to meet the requirement of any rate covenant\nwith respect to coverage of principal of and interest on its debt contained in\nany indenture, mortgage, or other contract with holders of its debt, provided\nthat any such indenture, mortgage or other contract must have been approved by\nthe Commission pursuant to Chapter 3 (\u00a7 56-55 et seq.) of this title. Any rate\nfor regulated utility services that is too low to meet the foregoing\nrequirements shall be unlawful.\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}}