{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/56-248.1.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/56-248.1.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/56-248.1.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/56-248.1.html"}],"law_id":81961,"edition_id":1,"section_id":81961,"structure_id":13254,"section_number":"56-248.1","catch_line":"Commission to monitor fuel prices and utility fuel purchases; fuel price index","history":"1976, c. 507; 1982, c. 107; 2011, cc. 738, 740; 2022, cc. 728, 759.","full_text":"A\n\nThe Commission shall monitor all fuel purchases, transportation costs, and contracts for such purchases of a utility to ascertain that all feasible economies are being utilized. Subject to the provisions of § 56-234, the Commission shall allow natural gas utilities to include in their fuel portfolios supplemental or substitute forms of gas sources that meet the natural gas utility’s pipeline quality gas standards and that reduce the emissions intensity of its fuel portfolio. A natural gas utility shall procure supplemental or substitute forms of gas sources utilizing standard industry practices and shall report to the Commission annually the imputed reduction in carbon dioxide equivalent resulting from such purchasing practices.B\n\nAs used in this section:\n\t\t\t“Biogas” means a mixture of hydrocarbons that is a gas at 60 degrees Fahrenheit and one atmosphere of pressure that is produced through the anaerobic digestion or thermal conversion of organic matter.\n\t\t\t“Low-emission natural gas” means natural gas produced from a geologic source that has a methane intensity of 0.20 or less (i) as reported under a protocol approved by the federal Environmental Protection Agency’s Gas STAR Methane Challenge, (ii) as certified by the United Nations Environment Programme’s Oil and Gas Methane Partnership 2.0, or (iii) as validated under a Qualified Attribute Commodities Platform.\n\t\t\t“Methane intensity” means the methane emissions assigned to natural gas on an energy basis divided by the total methane content of produced natural gas.\n\t\t\t“Qualified Attribute Commodities Platform” means a trading mechanism for natural gas or natural gas attributes that are nonfinancial intangible commodities that represents, packages, and certifies the qualifying attributes of an amount of low-emission natural gas. A Qualified Attribute Commodities Platform provides validation by an independent third party, provides natural gas or natural gas attributes capable of bilateral or exchange contract trading pursuant to standardized contracts for physical delivery that reasonably eliminate validation risk, and provides transparency for audit and reporting purposes.\n\t\t\t“Supplemental or substitute forms of gas sources” means (i) low-emission natural gas, (ii) biogas, or (iii) hydrogen.C\n\nIn addition, the Commission shall establish a fuel price index in order to compare the prices paid for the various types of fuel by Virginia utilities with the average price of the various types of fuel paid by other public utilities at comparable geographic locations in the market.D\n\nThis section shall not apply to telephone companies.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":293707,"text":"The Commission shall monitor all fuel purchases, transportation costs, and contracts for such purchases of a utility to ascertain that all feasible economies are being utilized. Subject to the provisions of § 56-234, the Commission shall allow natural gas utilities to include in their fuel portfolios supplemental or substitute forms of gas sources that meet the natural gas utility’s pipeline quality gas standards and that reduce the emissions intensity of its fuel portfolio. A natural gas utility shall procure supplemental or substitute forms of gas sources utilizing standard industry practices and shall report to the Commission annually the imputed reduction in carbon dioxide equivalent resulting from such purchasing practices.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":293708,"text":"As used in this section:\n\t\t\t“Biogas” means a mixture of hydrocarbons that is a gas at 60 degrees Fahrenheit and one atmosphere of pressure that is produced through the anaerobic digestion or thermal conversion of organic matter.\n\t\t\t“Low-emission natural gas” means natural gas produced from a geologic source that has a methane intensity of 0.20 or less (i) as reported under a protocol approved by the federal Environmental Protection Agency’s Gas STAR Methane Challenge, (ii) as certified by the United Nations Environment Programme’s Oil and Gas Methane Partnership 2.0, or (iii) as validated under a Qualified Attribute Commodities Platform.\n\t\t\t“Methane intensity” means the methane emissions assigned to natural gas on an energy basis divided by the total methane content of produced natural gas.\n\t\t\t“Qualified Attribute Commodities Platform” means a trading mechanism for natural gas or natural gas attributes that are nonfinancial intangible commodities that represents, packages, and certifies the qualifying attributes of an amount of low-emission natural gas. A Qualified Attribute Commodities Platform provides validation by an independent third party, provides natural gas or natural gas attributes capable of bilateral or exchange contract trading pursuant to standardized contracts for physical delivery that reasonably eliminate validation risk, and provides transparency for audit and reporting purposes.\n\t\t\t“Supplemental or substitute forms of gas sources” means (i) low-emission natural gas, (ii) biogas, or (iii) hydrogen.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":293709,"text":"In addition, the Commission shall establish a fuel price index in order to compare the prices paid for the various types of fuel by Virginia utilities with the average price of the various types of fuel paid by other public utilities at comparable geographic locations in the market.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"3":{"id":293710,"text":"This section shall not apply to telephone companies.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C"}},"ancestry":[{"id":13254,"edition_id":1,"name":"Powers of Commission in Relation to Service","identifier":"3","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13238,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:31","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:31","permalink":{"id":248939,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13254,"identifier":"3","token":"56\/10\/3","url":"\/56\/10\/3\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13238,"edition_id":1,"name":"Heat, Light, Power, Water and Other Utility Companies Generally","identifier":"10","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12881,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:30","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:30","permalink":{"id":248721,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13238,"identifier":"10","token":"56\/10","url":"\/56\/10\/","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":54253,"structure_id":13254,"section_number":"56-246","catch_line":"Tests and equipment therefor","url":"\/56-246\/","token":"56\/10\/3\/56-246","metadata":false},{"id":86344,"structure_id":13254,"section_number":"56-247","catch_line":"Commission may change regulations, measurements, practices, services, or acts","url":"\/56-247\/","token":"56\/10\/3\/56-247","metadata":false},{"id":70288,"structure_id":13254,"section_number":"56-247.1","catch_line":"Commission to require public utilities to follow certain procedures","url":"\/56-247.1\/","token":"56\/10\/3\/56-247.1","metadata":false},{"id":62920,"structure_id":13254,"section_number":"56-248","catch_line":"Commission to prescribe standard units of products or service","url":"\/56-248\/","token":"56\/10\/3\/56-248","metadata":false},{"id":81961,"structure_id":13254,"section_number":"56-248.1","catch_line":"Commission to monitor fuel prices and utility fuel purchases; fuel price index","url":"\/56-248.1\/","token":"56\/10\/3\/56-248.1","metadata":false},{"id":69021,"structure_id":13254,"section_number":"56-249","catch_line":"Reports by utilities","url":"\/56-249\/","token":"56\/10\/3\/56-249","metadata":false},{"id":80480,"structure_id":13254,"section_number":"56-249.1","catch_line":"Commission may require transfer of gas, water or electricity by one utility to another; compensation","url":"\/56-249.1\/","token":"56\/10\/3\/56-249.1","metadata":false},{"id":61474,"structure_id":13254,"section_number":"56-249.2","catch_line":"Certain records to be maintained","url":"\/56-249.2\/","token":"56\/10\/3\/56-249.2","metadata":false},{"id":74508,"structure_id":13254,"section_number":"56-249.3","catch_line":"Certain electric utilities to file reports in relation to fuel transactions, fuel purchases, fuel adjustment clauses, etc","url":"\/56-249.3\/","token":"56\/10\/3\/56-249.3","metadata":false},{"id":87031,"structure_id":13254,"section_number":"56-249.4","catch_line":"How reports shall be filed; reports open to public; rules and regulations","url":"\/56-249.4\/","token":"56\/10\/3\/56-249.4","metadata":false},{"id":74048,"structure_id":13254,"section_number":"56-249.5","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/56-249.5\/","token":"56\/10\/3\/56-249.5","metadata":false},{"id":55635,"structure_id":13254,"section_number":"56-249.6","catch_line":"Recovery of fuel and purchased power costs","url":"\/56-249.6\/","token":"56\/10\/3\/56-249.6","metadata":false},{"id":55979,"structure_id":13254,"section_number":"56-249.6:1","catch_line":"Financing for certain deferred fuel costs; Phase I Utilities.","url":"\/56-249.6_1\/","token":"56\/10\/3\/56-249.6_1","metadata":false},{"id":74921,"structure_id":13254,"section_number":"56-249.6:2","catch_line":"Financing for certain deferred fuel costs; Phase II Utilities","url":"\/56-249.6_2\/","token":"56\/10\/3\/56-249.6_2","metadata":false},{"id":82532,"structure_id":13254,"section_number":"56-249.7","catch_line":"Certain directors and officers of utility to file shareholder information","url":"\/56-249.7\/","token":"56\/10\/3\/56-249.7","metadata":false},{"id":55267,"structure_id":13254,"section_number":"56-249.8","catch_line":"Financing for certain securitized asset costs; Phase I Utility","url":"\/56-249.8\/","token":"56\/10\/3\/56-249.8","metadata":false},{"id":83780,"structure_id":13254,"section_number":"56-250","catch_line":"Commission may authorize action by public utility in time of emergency or shortage; plans","url":"\/56-250\/","token":"56\/10\/3\/56-250","metadata":false},{"id":71285,"structure_id":13254,"section_number":"56-251","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/56-251\/","token":"56\/10\/3\/56-251","metadata":false},{"id":63602,"structure_id":13254,"section_number":"56-253","catch_line":"Existing remedies retained","url":"\/56-253\/","token":"56\/10\/3\/56-253","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":62920,"structure_id":13254,"section_number":"56-248","catch_line":"Commission to prescribe standard units of products or service","url":"\/56-248\/","token":"56\/10\/3\/56-248","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":69021,"structure_id":13254,"section_number":"56-249","catch_line":"Reports by utilities","url":"\/56-249\/","token":"56\/10\/3\/56-249","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/56-248.1\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1976. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 507 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. Unfortunately, the 1976 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 3 times. 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. Those modifications are as follows: in 1982, chapter 107; in 2011, chapters 738<\/a> and 740<\/a>; in 2022, chapters 728<\/a> and 759<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":85772,"section_number":"56-265.1","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/56-265.1\/"},{"id":60501,"section_number":"56-625","catch_line":"Biogas supply infrastructure projects","order_by":null,"url":"\/56-625\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":87361,"section_number":"56-234","catch_line":"Duty to furnish adequate service at reasonable and uniform rates","order_by":null,"url":"\/56-234\/"}],"permalink":{"id":248957,"object_type":"law","relational_id":81961,"identifier":"56-248.1","token":"56\/10\/3\/56-248.1","url":"\/56-248.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/56-248.1\/","token":"56\/10\/3\/56-248.1","dublin_core":{"Title":"Commission to monitor fuel prices and utility fuel purchases; fuel price index","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 56-248.1","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> The Commission<\/span> shall monitor all fuel purchases, transportation costs, and contracts<\/span> for such purchases of a utility to ascertain that all feasible economies are being utilized. Subject to the provisions of § 56-234<\/a>, the Commission<\/span> shall allow natural gas utilities to include in their fuel portfolios supplemental or substitute forms of gas sources<\/span> that meet the natural gas utility’s pipeline quality gas standards and that reduce the emissions intensity of its fuel portfolio. A natural gas utility shall procure supplemental or substitute forms of gas sources<\/span> utilizing standard industry practices and shall report to the Commission<\/span> annually the imputed reduction in carbon dioxide equivalent resulting from such purchasing practices. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> As used in this section:\n\t\t\t“Biogas<\/span>” means a mixture of hydrocarbons that is a gas at 60 degrees Fahrenheit and one atmosphere of pressure that is produced through the anaerobic digestion or thermal conversion of organic matter.\n\t\t\t“Low-emission natural gas<\/span>” means natural gas produced from a geologic source that has a methane intensity<\/span> of 0.20 or less (i) as reported under a protocol approved by the federal Environmental Protection Agency’s Gas STAR Methane Challenge, (ii) as certified by the United Nations Environment Programme’s Oil and Gas Methane Partnership 2.0, or (iii) as validated under a Qualified Attribute Commodities Platform<\/span>.\n\t\t\t“Methane intensity<\/span>” means the methane emissions assigned to natural gas on an energy basis divided by the total methane content of produced natural gas.\n\t\t\t“Qualified Attribute Commodities Platform<\/span>” means a trading mechanism for natural gas or natural gas attributes that are nonfinancial intangible commodities that represents, packages, and certifies the qualifying attributes of an amount of low-emission natural gas<\/span>. A Qualified Attribute Commodities Platform<\/span> provides validation by an independent third party<\/span>, provides natural gas or natural gas attributes capable of bilateral or exchange contract<\/span> trading pursuant to standardized contracts<\/span> for physical delivery that reasonably eliminate validation risk, and provides transparency for audit and reporting purposes.\n\t\t\t“Supplemental or substitute forms of gas sources<\/span>” means (i) low-emission natural gas<\/span>, (ii) biogas<\/span>, or (iii) hydrogen. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> In addition, the Commission<\/span> shall establish a fuel price index in order<\/span> to compare the prices paid for the various types of fuel by Virginia utilities with the average price of the various types of fuel paid by other public utilities at comparable geographic locations in the market. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> This section shall not apply to telephone companies. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nCOMMISSION TO MONITOR FUEL PRICES AND UTILITY FUEL PURCHASES; FUEL PRICE INDEX\n(\u00a7 56-248.1)\n\nA. The Commission shall monitor all fuel purchases, transportation costs, and\ncontracts for such purchases of a utility to ascertain that all feasible\neconomies are being utilized. Subject to the provisions of § 56-234, the\nCommission shall allow natural gas utilities to include in their fuel portfolios\nsupplemental or substitute forms of gas sources that meet the natural gas\nutility’s pipeline quality gas standards and that reduce the emissions\nintensity of its fuel portfolio. A natural gas utility shall procure\nsupplemental or substitute forms of gas sources utilizing standard industry\npractices and shall report to the Commission annually the imputed reduction in\ncarbon dioxide equivalent resulting from such purchasing practices.\n\nB. As used in this section:\n\t\t\t“Biogas” means a mixture of hydrocarbons that is a gas at 60\ndegrees Fahrenheit and one atmosphere of pressure that is produced through the\nanaerobic digestion or thermal conversion of organic matter.\n\t\t\t“Low-emission natural gas” means natural gas produced from a\ngeologic source that has a methane intensity of 0.20 or less (i) as reported\nunder a protocol approved by the federal Environmental Protection Agency’s\nGas STAR Methane Challenge, (ii) as certified by the United Nations Environment\nProgramme’s Oil and Gas Methane Partnership 2.0, or (iii) as validated\nunder a Qualified Attribute Commodities Platform.\n\t\t\t“Methane intensity” means the methane emissions assigned to\nnatural gas on an energy basis divided by the total methane content of produced\nnatural gas.\n\t\t\t“Qualified Attribute Commodities Platform” means a trading\nmechanism for natural gas or natural gas attributes that are nonfinancial\nintangible commodities that represents, packages, and certifies the qualifying\nattributes of an amount of low-emission natural gas. A Qualified Attribute\nCommodities Platform provides validation by an independent third party, provides\nnatural gas or natural gas attributes capable of bilateral or exchange contract\ntrading pursuant to standardized contracts for physical delivery that reasonably\neliminate validation risk, and provides transparency for audit and reporting\npurposes.\n\t\t\t“Supplemental or substitute forms of gas sources” means (i)\nlow-emission natural gas, (ii) biogas, or (iii) hydrogen.\n\nC. In addition, the Commission shall establish a fuel price index in order to\ncompare the prices paid for the various types of fuel by Virginia utilities with\nthe average price of the various types of fuel paid by other public utilities at\ncomparable geographic locations in the market.\n\nD. This section shall not apply to telephone companies.\n\nHISTORY: 1976, c. 507; 1982, c. 107; 2011, cc. 738, 740; 2022, cc. 728, 759.","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}}