{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/56-585.3.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/56-585.3.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/56-585.3.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/56-585.3.html"}],"law_id":87343,"edition_id":1,"section_id":87343,"structure_id":13084,"section_number":"56-585.3","catch_line":"Regulation of cooperative rates after rate caps","history":"2007, cc. 888, 933; 2009, cc. 401, 824; 2019, cc. 625, 742, 763; 2022, cc. 363, 364.","full_text":"A\n\nAfter the expiration or termination of capped rates, the rates, terms and conditions of distribution electric cooperatives subject to Article 1 (\u00a7 56-231.15 et seq.) of Chapter 9.1 shall be regulated in accordance with the provisions of Chapters 9.1 (\u00a7 56-231.15 et seq.) and 10 (\u00a7 56-232 et seq.), as modified by the following provisions:1\n\nExcept for energy related cost (fuel cost), the Commission shall not require any cooperative to adjust, modify, or revise its rates, by means of riders or otherwise, to reflect changes in wholesale power cost which occurred during the capped rate period, other than in a general rate proceeding;2\n\nEach cooperative may, without Commission approval or the requirement of any filing other than as provided in this subdivision, upon an affirmative resolution of its board of directors, increase or decrease all classes of its rates for distribution services at any time, provided, however, that such adjustments will not effect a cumulative net increase or decrease in excess of five percent in such rates in any three-year period. Such adjustments will not affect or be limited by any existing fuel or wholesale power cost adjustment provisions. The cooperative will promptly file any such revised rates with the Commission for informational purposes;3\n\nEach cooperative may, without Commission approval, upon an affirmative resolution of its board of directors, make any adjustment to its terms and conditions that does not affect the cooperative’s revenues from the distribution or supply of electric energy. In addition, a cooperative may make such adjustments to any pass-through of third-party service charges and fees, and to any fees, charges and deposits set out in Schedule F of such cooperative’s Terms and Conditions filed as of January 1, 2007. The cooperative will promptly file any such amended terms and conditions with the Commission for informational purposes;4\n\nEach cooperative may, without Commission approval or the requirement of any filing other than as provided in this subdivision, upon an affirmative resolution of its board of directors, make any adjustment to its rates reasonably calculated to collect any or all of the fixed costs of owning and operating its electric distribution system, including without limitation, such costs as are identified as customer-related costs in a cost of service study, through a new or modified fixed monthly charge, rather than through volumetric charges associated with the use of electric energy or demand, or to rebalance among any of the fixed monthly charge, distribution demand, and distribution energy; however, such adjustments shall be revenue neutral based on the cooperative’s determination of the proper intra-class allocation of the revenues produced by its then current rates. If a rate class contains a supply demand charge, the cooperative may rebalance its rate for electricity supply service pursuant to this subdivision. The cooperative may elect, but is not required, to implement such adjustments through incremental changes over the course of up to three years. The cooperative shall file promptly revised tariffs reflecting any such adjustments with the Commission for informational purposes;5\n\nA cooperative may, at any time after the expiration or termination of capped rates, petition the Commission for approval of one or more rate adjustment clauses for the timely and current recovery from customers of the costs described in subdivisions A 5 b and e of § 56-585.1;6\n\nA cooperative that is not a current member of a utility aggregation cooperative may at any time petition the Commission for approval of one or more rate adjustment clauses for the timely and current recovery of cost from customers of (i) one or more generation facilities, (ii) one or more major unit modifications of generation facilities, or (iii) one or more pumped hydroelectricity generation and storage facilities. A cooperative seeking a rate adjustment clause pursuant to this subdivision shall have the right, after notice and the opportunity for a hearing, to recover the costs of a facility described in clauses (i), (ii), or (iii) in a rate adjustment clause including construction work in progress and allowance for funds during construction, planning, and development costs of infrastructure associated therewith. The costs of the facility other than projected construction work in progress and allowance for funds used during construction shall not be recovered prior to the date that the facility either (a) begins commercial operation or (b) comes under the ownership of the cooperative. For the purposes of this subdivision, the cooperative’s cost of capital shall be recoverable in such a rate adjustment clause and shall be set as either the cooperative’s long-term cost of debt or most recent rate of return authorized by the Commission in a rate proceeding. In any proceeding conducted pursuant to this subdivision, the Commission shall consider that all costs expended and revenues recovered arising out of the procurement of generation resources pursuant to this subdivision will inure to the benefit of the general membership of the cooperative. Nothing in this subdivision shall relieve a cooperative from any requirement to obtain a certificate of public convenience and necessity for purposes of constructing generation in the Commonwealth. The Commission’s final order regarding any petition filed pursuant to this subdivision shall be entered not more than nine months after the date of filing of such petition. If such petition is approved, the order shall direct that the applicable rate adjustment clause be applied to customers’ bills not more than 60 days after the date of the order. Any petition filed pursuant to this subdivision shall be considered by the Commission on a stand-alone basis without regard to the other costs, revenues, investments, or earnings of the cooperative. Any costs incurred by a cooperative prior to the filing of such petition, or during the consideration thereof by the Commission, that are proposed for recovery in such petition, shall be deferred on the books and records of the cooperative until the Commission’s final order in the matter, or until the implementation of any applicable approved rate adjustment clause, whichever is later;7\n\nA cooperative may adopt any other cooperative’s voluntary rate, voluntary program (including a pilot program), or voluntary tariff, and cost recovery therefor, by submitting the same to the Commission for administrative approval. The staff of the Commission shall have the authority to approve such administrative filing notwithstanding any other provision of law; and8\n\nA cooperative may, without approval of the Commission or the requirement of any filing other than as provided in this subsection, upon an affirmative resolution of its board of directors, approve any voluntary tariff, and cost recovery therefor, and shall promptly file any such tariff with the Commission for informational purposes.B\n\nNone of the adjustments described in subdivisions A 2 through A 5 will apply to the rates paid by any customer that takes service by means of dedicated distribution facilities and had noncoincident peak demand in excess of 90 megawatts in calendar year 2006.C\n\nNothing in this section shall be deemed to grant to a cooperative any authority to amend or adjust any terms and conditions of service or agreements regarding pole attachments or the use of the cooperative’s poles or conduits.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":312779,"text":"After the expiration or termination of capped rates, the rates, terms and conditions of distribution electric cooperatives subject to Article 1 (\u00a7 56-231.15 et seq.) of Chapter 9.1 shall be regulated in accordance with the provisions of Chapters 9.1 (\u00a7 56-231.15 et seq.) and 10 (\u00a7 56-232 et seq.), as modified by the following provisions:","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"A1"},"1":{"id":312780,"text":"Except for energy related cost (fuel cost), the Commission shall not require any cooperative to adjust, modify, or revise its rates, by means of riders or otherwise, to reflect changes in wholesale power cost which occurred during the capped rate period, other than in a general rate proceeding;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"A1","prefix_anchor":"A1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"A2"},"2":{"id":312781,"text":"Each cooperative may, without Commission approval or the requirement of any filing other than as provided in this subdivision, upon an affirmative resolution of its board of directors, increase or decrease all classes of its rates for distribution services at any time, provided, however, that such adjustments will not effect a cumulative net increase or decrease in excess of five percent in such rates in any three-year period. Such adjustments will not affect or be limited by any existing fuel or wholesale power cost adjustment provisions. The cooperative will promptly file any such revised rates with the Commission for informational purposes;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"A2","prefix_anchor":"A2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A1","next_prefix":"A3"},"3":{"id":312782,"text":"Each cooperative may, without Commission approval, upon an affirmative resolution of its board of directors, make any adjustment to its terms and conditions that does not affect the cooperative’s revenues from the distribution or supply of electric energy. In addition, a cooperative may make such adjustments to any pass-through of third-party service charges and fees, and to any fees, charges and deposits set out in Schedule F of such cooperative’s Terms and Conditions filed as of January 1, 2007. The cooperative will promptly file any such amended terms and conditions with the Commission for informational purposes;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"A3","prefix_anchor":"A3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A2","next_prefix":"A4"},"4":{"id":312783,"text":"Each cooperative may, without Commission approval or the requirement of any filing other than as provided in this subdivision, upon an affirmative resolution of its board of directors, make any adjustment to its rates reasonably calculated to collect any or all of the fixed costs of owning and operating its electric distribution system, including without limitation, such costs as are identified as customer-related costs in a cost of service study, through a new or modified fixed monthly charge, rather than through volumetric charges associated with the use of electric energy or demand, or to rebalance among any of the fixed monthly charge, distribution demand, and distribution energy; however, such adjustments shall be revenue neutral based on the cooperative’s determination of the proper intra-class allocation of the revenues produced by its then current rates. If a rate class contains a supply demand charge, the cooperative may rebalance its rate for electricity supply service pursuant to this subdivision. The cooperative may elect, but is not required, to implement such adjustments through incremental changes over the course of up to three years. The cooperative shall file promptly revised tariffs reflecting any such adjustments with the Commission for informational purposes;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"A4","prefix_anchor":"A4","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A3","next_prefix":"A5"},"5":{"id":312784,"text":"A cooperative may, at any time after the expiration or termination of capped rates, petition the Commission for approval of one or more rate adjustment clauses for the timely and current recovery from customers of the costs described in subdivisions A 5 b and e of § 56-585.1;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","5"],"prefix":"5","entire_prefix":"A5","prefix_anchor":"A5","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A4","next_prefix":"A6"},"6":{"id":312785,"text":"A cooperative that is not a current member of a utility aggregation cooperative may at any time petition the Commission for approval of one or more rate adjustment clauses for the timely and current recovery of cost from customers of (i) one or more generation facilities, (ii) one or more major unit modifications of generation facilities, or (iii) one or more pumped hydroelectricity generation and storage facilities. A cooperative seeking a rate adjustment clause pursuant to this subdivision shall have the right, after notice and the opportunity for a hearing, to recover the costs of a facility described in clauses (i), (ii), or (iii) in a rate adjustment clause including construction work in progress and allowance for funds during construction, planning, and development costs of infrastructure associated therewith. The costs of the facility other than projected construction work in progress and allowance for funds used during construction shall not be recovered prior to the date that the facility either (a) begins commercial operation or (b) comes under the ownership of the cooperative. For the purposes of this subdivision, the cooperative’s cost of capital shall be recoverable in such a rate adjustment clause and shall be set as either the cooperative’s long-term cost of debt or most recent rate of return authorized by the Commission in a rate proceeding. In any proceeding conducted pursuant to this subdivision, the Commission shall consider that all costs expended and revenues recovered arising out of the procurement of generation resources pursuant to this subdivision will inure to the benefit of the general membership of the cooperative. Nothing in this subdivision shall relieve a cooperative from any requirement to obtain a certificate of public convenience and necessity for purposes of constructing generation in the Commonwealth. The Commission’s final order regarding any petition filed pursuant to this subdivision shall be entered not more than nine months after the date of filing of such petition. If such petition is approved, the order shall direct that the applicable rate adjustment clause be applied to customers’ bills not more than 60 days after the date of the order. Any petition filed pursuant to this subdivision shall be considered by the Commission on a stand-alone basis without regard to the other costs, revenues, investments, or earnings of the cooperative. Any costs incurred by a cooperative prior to the filing of such petition, or during the consideration thereof by the Commission, that are proposed for recovery in such petition, shall be deferred on the books and records of the cooperative until the Commission’s final order in the matter, or until the implementation of any applicable approved rate adjustment clause, whichever is later;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","6"],"prefix":"6","entire_prefix":"A6","prefix_anchor":"A6","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A5","next_prefix":"A7"},"7":{"id":312786,"text":"A cooperative may adopt any other cooperative’s voluntary rate, voluntary program (including a pilot program), or voluntary tariff, and cost recovery therefor, by submitting the same to the Commission for administrative approval. The staff of the Commission shall have the authority to approve such administrative filing notwithstanding any other provision of law; and","type":"section","prefixes":["A","7"],"prefix":"7","entire_prefix":"A7","prefix_anchor":"A7","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A6","next_prefix":"A8"},"8":{"id":312787,"text":"A cooperative may, without approval of the Commission or the requirement of any filing other than as provided in this subsection, upon an affirmative resolution of its board of directors, approve any voluntary tariff, and cost recovery therefor, and shall promptly file any such tariff with the Commission for informational purposes.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","8"],"prefix":"8","entire_prefix":"A8","prefix_anchor":"A8","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A7","next_prefix":"B"},"9":{"id":312788,"text":"None of the adjustments described in subdivisions A 2 through A 5 will apply to the rates paid by any customer that takes service by means of dedicated distribution facilities and had noncoincident peak demand in excess of 90 megawatts in calendar year 2006.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A8","next_prefix":"C"},"10":{"id":312789,"text":"Nothing in this section shall be deemed to grant to a cooperative any authority to amend or adjust any terms and conditions of service or agreements regarding pole attachments or the use of the cooperative’s poles or conduits.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B"}},"ancestry":[{"id":13084,"edition_id":1,"name":"Virginia Electric Utility Regulation Act","identifier":"23","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12881,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:15","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:15","permalink":{"id":250597,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13084,"identifier":"23","token":"56\/23","url":"\/56\/23\/","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":62210,"structure_id":13084,"section_number":"56-576","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/56-576\/","token":"56\/23\/56-576","metadata":false},{"id":79838,"structure_id":13084,"section_number":"56-577","catch_line":"Schedule for transition to retail competition; Commission authority; exemptions; pilot 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Utility","url":"\/56-594.4\/","token":"56\/23\/56-594.4","metadata":false},{"id":77419,"structure_id":13084,"section_number":"56-595","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/56-595\/","token":"56\/23\/56-595","metadata":false},{"id":69517,"structure_id":13084,"section_number":"56-596","catch_line":"Consideration of economic development; report","url":"\/56-596\/","token":"56\/23\/56-596","metadata":false},{"id":82462,"structure_id":13084,"section_number":"56-596.1","catch_line":"New generating facilities utilizing energy derived from sunlight and from wind; report","url":"\/56-596.1\/","token":"56\/23\/56-596.1","metadata":false},{"id":57383,"structure_id":13084,"section_number":"56-596.2","catch_line":"Energy efficiency policy and programs; financial assistance for low-income customers","url":"\/56-596.2\/","token":"56\/23\/56-596.2","metadata":false},{"id":80361,"structure_id":13084,"section_number":"56-596.2:1","catch_line":"Incentives for energy conservation measures and solar energy equipment","url":"\/56-596.2_1\/","token":"56\/23\/56-596.2_1","metadata":false},{"id":70146,"structure_id":13084,"section_number":"56-596.2:2","catch_line":"(Expires January 1, 2031) Energy efficiency savings targets for certain customers","url":"\/56-596.2_2\/","token":"56\/23\/56-596.2_2","metadata":false},{"id":71672,"structure_id":13084,"section_number":"56-596.3","catch_line":"Electric generation, transmission, and distribution; report","url":"\/56-596.3\/","token":"56\/23\/56-596.3","metadata":false},{"id":54473,"structure_id":13084,"section_number":"56-596.4","catch_line":"Electric utilities; local reliability data","url":"\/56-596.4\/","token":"56\/23\/56-596.4","metadata":false},{"id":75595,"structure_id":13084,"section_number":"56-596.5","catch_line":"Rate increases in certain months prohibited; Phase I Utility","url":"\/56-596.5\/","token":"56\/23\/56-596.5","metadata":false},{"id":80765,"structure_id":13084,"section_number":"56-596.6","catch_line":"Distribution cost sharing program","url":"\/56-596.6\/","token":"56\/23\/56-596.6","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":56958,"structure_id":13084,"section_number":"56-585.2","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/56-585.2\/","token":"56\/23\/56-585.2","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":80324,"structure_id":13084,"section_number":"56-585.4","catch_line":"Net energy metering transition provisions for electric cooperatives","url":"\/56-585.4\/","token":"56\/23\/56-585.4","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/56-585.3\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 2007. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapters 888<\/a> and 933<\/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 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 2009, chapters 401<\/a> and 824<\/a>; in 2019, chapters 625<\/a>, 742<\/a>, and 763<\/a>; in 2022, chapters 363<\/a> and 364<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":[{"id":77567,"section_number":"56-231.15","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/56-231.15\/"},{"id":75233,"section_number":"56-232","catch_line":"Public utility and schedules defined","order_by":null,"url":"\/56-232\/"},{"id":67687,"section_number":"56-585.1","catch_line":"Generation, distribution, and transmission rates after capped rates terminate or expire","order_by":null,"url":"\/56-585.1\/"}],"permalink":{"id":250719,"object_type":"law","relational_id":87343,"identifier":"56-585.3","token":"56\/23\/56-585.3","url":"\/56-585.3\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/56-585.3\/","token":"56\/23\/56-585.3","dublin_core":{"Title":"Regulation of cooperative rates after rate caps","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 56-585.3","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> After the expiration or termination of capped rates<\/span>, the rates<\/span>, terms and conditions of distribution electric cooperatives<\/span> subject to Article 1 (\u00a7 56-231.15<\/a> et seq.) of Chapter 9.1 shall be regulated in accordance with the provisions of Chapters 9.1 (\u00a7 56-231.15<\/a> et seq.) and 10 (\u00a7 56-232<\/a> et seq.), as modified by the following provisions: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> Except for energy related cost (fuel cost), the Commission<\/span> shall not require any cooperative<\/span> to adjust, modify, or revise its rates<\/span>, by means of riders or otherwise, to reflect changes in wholesale power cost which occurred during the capped rate<\/span> period, other than in a general rate<\/span> proceeding; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> Each cooperative<\/span> may, without Commission<\/span> approval or the requirement of any filing other than as provided in this subdivision, upon an affirmative resolution of its board of directors, increase or decrease all classes of its rates<\/span> for distribution services at any time, provided, however, that such adjustments will not effect a cumulative net increase or decrease in excess of five percent in such rates<\/span> in any three-year period. Such adjustments will not affect or be limited by any existing fuel or wholesale power cost adjustment provisions. The cooperative<\/span> will promptly file any such revised rates<\/span> with the Commission<\/span> for informational purposes; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> Each cooperative<\/span> may, without Commission<\/span> approval, upon an affirmative resolution of its board of directors, make any adjustment to its terms and conditions that does not affect the cooperative<\/span>’s revenues from the distribution or supply<\/span> of electric energy. In addition, a cooperative<\/span> may make such adjustments to any pass-through of third-party<\/span> service charges and fees, and to any fees, charges and deposits set out in Schedule F of such cooperative<\/span>’s Terms and Conditions filed as of January 1, 2007. The cooperative<\/span> will promptly file any such amended terms and conditions with the Commission<\/span> for informational purposes; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> Each cooperative<\/span> may, without Commission<\/span> approval or the requirement of any filing other than as provided in this subdivision, upon an affirmative resolution of its board of directors, make any adjustment to its rates<\/span> reasonably calculated to collect any or all of the fixed costs of owning and operating its electric distribution system, including without limitation, such costs as are identified as customer-related costs in a cost of service study, through a new or modified fixed monthly charge, rather than through volumetric charges associated with the use of electric energy or demand, or to rebalance among any of the fixed monthly charge, distribution demand, and distribution energy; however, such adjustments shall be revenue neutral based on the cooperative<\/span>’s determination of the proper intra-class allocation of the revenues produced by its then current rates<\/span>. If a rate<\/span> class contains a supply<\/span> demand charge, the cooperative<\/span> may rebalance its rate<\/span> for electricity supply<\/span> service pursuant to this subdivision. The cooperative<\/span> may elect, but is not required, to implement such adjustments through incremental changes over the course of up to three years. The cooperative<\/span> shall file promptly revised tariffs reflecting any such adjustments with the Commission<\/span> for informational purposes; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

5.<\/span> A cooperative<\/span> may, at any time after the expiration or termination of capped rates<\/span>, petition<\/span> the Commission<\/span> for approval of one or more rate<\/span> adjustment clauses for the timely and current recovery from customers of the costs described in subdivisions A 5 b and e of § 56-585.1<\/a>; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

6.<\/span> A cooperative<\/span> that is not a current member of a utility aggregation cooperative<\/span> may at any time petition<\/span> the Commission<\/span> for approval of one or more rate<\/span> adjustment clauses for the timely and current recovery of cost from customers of (i) one or more generation facilities, (ii) one or more major unit modifications of generation facilities, or (iii) one or more pumped hydroelectricity generation and storage facilities. A cooperative<\/span> seeking a rate<\/span> adjustment clause pursuant to this subdivision shall have the right, after notice and the opportunity for a hearing<\/span>, to recover the costs of a facility described in clauses (i), (ii), or (iii) in a rate<\/span> adjustment clause including construction work in progress and allowance for funds during construction, planning, and development costs of infrastructure associated therewith. The costs of the facility other than projected construction work in progress and allowance for funds used during construction shall not be recovered prior to the date that the facility either (a) begins commercial operation or (b) comes under the ownership of the cooperative<\/span>. For the purposes of this subdivision, the cooperative<\/span>’s cost of capital shall be recoverable in such a rate<\/span> adjustment clause and shall be set as either the cooperative<\/span>’s long-term cost of debt or most recent rate<\/span> of return authorized by the Commission<\/span> in a rate<\/span> proceeding. In any proceeding conducted pursuant to this subdivision, the Commission<\/span> shall consider that all costs expended and revenues recovered arising out of the procurement of generation resources pursuant to this subdivision will inure to the benefit of the general membership of the cooperative<\/span>. Nothing in this subdivision shall relieve a cooperative<\/span> from any requirement to obtain a certificate of public convenience and necessity for purposes of constructing generation in the Commonwealth. The Commission<\/span>’s final order<\/span> regarding any petition<\/span> filed pursuant to this subdivision shall be entered not more than nine months after the date of filing of such petition<\/span>. If such petition<\/span> is approved, the order shall direct that the applicable rate<\/span> adjustment clause be applied to customers’ bills not more than 60 days after the date of the order. Any petition<\/span> filed pursuant to this subdivision shall be considered by the Commission<\/span> on a stand-alone basis without regard to the other costs, revenues, investments, or earnings of the cooperative<\/span>. Any costs incurred by a cooperative<\/span> prior to the filing of such petition<\/span>, or during the consideration thereof by the Commission<\/span>, that are proposed for recovery in such petition<\/span>, shall be deferred on the books and records of the cooperative<\/span> until the Commission<\/span>’s final order<\/span> in the matter, or until the implementation of any applicable approved rate<\/span> adjustment clause, whichever is later; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

7.<\/span> A cooperative<\/span> may adopt any other cooperative<\/span>’s voluntary rate<\/span>, voluntary program (including a pilot program), or voluntary tariff, and cost recovery therefor, by submitting the same to the Commission<\/span> for administrative approval. The staff of the Commission<\/span> shall have the authority to approve such administrative filing notwithstanding any other provision of law<\/span>; and <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

8.<\/span> A cooperative<\/span> may, without approval of the Commission<\/span> or the requirement of any filing other than as provided in this subsection, upon an affirmative resolution of its board of directors, approve any voluntary tariff, and cost recovery therefor, and shall promptly file any such tariff with the Commission<\/span> for informational purposes. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> None of the adjustments described in subdivisions A 2 through A 5 will apply to the rates<\/span> paid by any customer that takes service by means of dedicated distribution facilities and had noncoincident peak demand in excess of 90 megawatts in calendar year 2006. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> Nothing in this section shall be deemed to grant to a cooperative<\/span> any authority to amend<\/span> or adjust any terms and conditions of service or agreements regarding pole attachments<\/span> or the use of the cooperative<\/span>’s poles or conduits. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nREGULATION OF COOPERATIVE RATES AFTER RATE CAPS (\u00a7 56-585.3)\n\nA. After the expiration or termination of capped rates, the rates, terms and\nconditions of distribution electric cooperatives subject to Article 1 (\u00a7\n56-231.15 et seq.) of Chapter 9.1 shall be regulated in accordance with the\nprovisions of Chapters 9.1 (\u00a7 56-231.15 et seq.) and 10 (\u00a7 56-232 et seq.), as\nmodified by the following provisions:\n\n 1. Except for energy related cost (fuel cost), the Commission shall not\n require any cooperative to adjust, modify, or revise its rates, by means of\n riders or otherwise, to reflect changes in wholesale power cost which occurred\n during the capped rate period, other than in a general rate proceeding;\n\n 2. Each cooperative may, without Commission approval or the requirement of any\n filing other than as provided in this subdivision, upon an affirmative\n resolution of its board of directors, increase or decrease all classes of its\n rates for distribution services at any time, provided, however, that such\n adjustments will not effect a cumulative net increase or decrease in excess of\n five percent in such rates in any three-year period. Such adjustments will not\n affect or be limited by any existing fuel or wholesale power cost adjustment\n provisions. The cooperative will promptly file any such revised rates with the\n Commission for informational purposes;\n\n 3. Each cooperative may, without Commission approval, upon an affirmative\n resolution of its board of directors, make any adjustment to its terms and\n conditions that does not affect the cooperative’s revenues from the\n distribution or supply of electric energy. In addition, a cooperative may make\n such adjustments to any pass-through of third-party service charges and fees,\n and to any fees, charges and deposits set out in Schedule F of such\n cooperative’s Terms and Conditions filed as of January 1, 2007. The\n cooperative will promptly file any such amended terms and conditions with the\n Commission for informational purposes;\n\n 4. Each cooperative may, without Commission approval or the requirement of any\n filing other than as provided in this subdivision, upon an affirmative\n resolution of its board of directors, make any adjustment to its rates\n reasonably calculated to collect any or all of the fixed costs of owning and\n operating its electric distribution system, including without limitation, such\n costs as are identified as customer-related costs in a cost of service study,\n through a new or modified fixed monthly charge, rather than through volumetric\n charges associated with the use of electric energy or demand, or to rebalance\n among any of the fixed monthly charge, distribution demand, and distribution\n energy; however, such adjustments shall be revenue neutral based on the\n cooperative’s determination of the proper intra-class allocation of the\n revenues produced by its then current rates. If a rate class contains a supply\n demand charge, the cooperative may rebalance its rate for electricity supply\n service pursuant to this subdivision. The cooperative may elect, but is not\n required, to implement such adjustments through incremental changes over the\n course of up to three years. The cooperative shall file promptly revised\n tariffs reflecting any such adjustments with the Commission for informational\n purposes;\n\n 5. A cooperative may, at any time after the expiration or termination of\n capped rates, petition the Commission for approval of one or more rate\n adjustment clauses for the timely and current recovery from customers of the\n costs described in subdivisions A 5 b and e of § 56-585.1;\n\n 6. A cooperative that is not a current member of a utility aggregation\n cooperative may at any time petition the Commission for approval of one or\n more rate adjustment clauses for the timely and current recovery of cost from\n customers of (i) one or more generation facilities, (ii) one or more major\n unit modifications of generation facilities, or (iii) one or more pumped\n hydroelectricity generation and storage facilities. A cooperative seeking a\n rate adjustment clause pursuant to this subdivision shall have the right,\n after notice and the opportunity for a hearing, to recover the costs of a\n facility described in clauses (i), (ii), or (iii) in a rate adjustment clause\n including construction work in progress and allowance for funds during\n construction, planning, and development costs of infrastructure associated\n therewith. The costs of the facility other than projected construction work in\n progress and allowance for funds used during construction shall not be\n recovered prior to the date that the facility either (a) begins commercial\n operation or (b) comes under the ownership of the cooperative. For the\n purposes of this subdivision, the cooperative’s cost of capital shall be\n recoverable in such a rate adjustment clause and shall be set as either the\n cooperative’s long-term cost of debt or most recent rate of return\n authorized by the Commission in a rate proceeding. In any proceeding conducted\n pursuant to this subdivision, the Commission shall consider that all costs\n expended and revenues recovered arising out of the procurement of generation\n resources pursuant to this subdivision will inure to the benefit of the\n general membership of the cooperative. Nothing in this subdivision shall\n relieve a cooperative from any requirement to obtain a certificate of public\n convenience and necessity for purposes of constructing generation in the\n Commonwealth. The Commission’s final order regarding any petition filed\n pursuant to this subdivision shall be entered not more than nine months after\n the date of filing of such petition. If such petition is approved, the order\n shall direct that the applicable rate adjustment clause be applied to\n customers’ bills not more than 60 days after the date of the order. Any\n petition filed pursuant to this subdivision shall be considered by the\n Commission on a stand-alone basis without regard to the other costs, revenues,\n investments, or earnings of the cooperative. Any costs incurred by a\n cooperative prior to the filing of such petition, or during the consideration\n thereof by the Commission, that are proposed for recovery in such petition,\n shall be deferred on the books and records of the cooperative until the\n Commission’s final order in the matter, or until the implementation of\n any applicable approved rate adjustment clause, whichever is later;\n\n 7. A cooperative may adopt any other cooperative’s voluntary rate,\n voluntary program (including a pilot program), or voluntary tariff, and cost\n recovery therefor, by submitting the same to the Commission for administrative\n approval. The staff of the Commission shall have the authority to approve such\n administrative filing notwithstanding any other provision of law; and\n\n 8. A cooperative may, without approval of the Commission or the requirement of\n any filing other than as provided in this subsection, upon an affirmative\n resolution of its board of directors, approve any voluntary tariff, and cost\n recovery therefor, and shall promptly file any such tariff with the Commission\n for informational purposes.\n\nB. None of the adjustments described in subdivisions A 2 through A 5 will apply\nto the rates paid by any customer that takes service by means of dedicated\ndistribution facilities and had noncoincident peak demand in excess of 90\nmegawatts in calendar year 2006.\n\nC. Nothing in this section shall be deemed to grant to a cooperative any\nauthority to amend or adjust any terms and conditions of service or agreements\nregarding pole attachments or the use of the cooperative’s poles or\nconduits.\n\nHISTORY: 2007, cc. 888, 933; 2009, cc. 401, 824; 2019, cc. 625, 742, 763; 2022,\ncc. 363, 364.","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}}