{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/56-587.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/56-587.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/56-587.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/56-587.html"}],"law_id":63919,"edition_id":1,"section_id":63919,"structure_id":13084,"section_number":"56-587","catch_line":"Licensure of retail electric energy suppliers and persons providing other competitive services","history":"1999, c. 411; 2000, c. 991; 2007, cc. 888, 933; 2019, c. 833.","full_text":"A\n\nAs a condition of doing business in the Commonwealth, each person except a default service provider seeking to sell, offering to sell, or selling electric energy to any retail customer in the Commonwealth, on and after January 1, 2002, shall obtain a license from the Commission to do so. A license shall not be required solely for the leasing or financing of property used in the sale of electricity to any retail customer in the Commonwealth.\n\t\t\tThe license shall authorize that person to engage in the activities authorized by such license until the license expires or is otherwise terminated, suspended or revoked.B\n\n1. As a condition of obtaining, retaining and renewing any license issued pursuant to this section, a person shall satisfy such reasonable and nondiscriminatory requirements as may be specified by the Commission, which may include requirements that such person (i) demonstrate, in a manner satisfactory to the Commission, financial responsibility; (ii) post a bond as deemed adequate by the Commission to ensure that financial responsibility; (iii) pay an annual license fee to be determined by the Commission; and (iv) pay all taxes and fees lawfully imposed by the Commonwealth or by any municipality or other political subdivision of the Commonwealth. In addition, as a condition of obtaining, retaining and renewing any license pursuant to this section, a person shall satisfy such reasonable and nondiscriminatory requirements as may be specified by the Commission, including but not limited to requirements that such person demonstrate (i) technical capabilities as the Commission may deem appropriate; (ii) in the case of a person seeking to sell, offering to sell, or selling electric energy to any retail customer in the Commonwealth, access to generation and generation reserves; and (iii) adherence to minimum market conduct standards.2\n\nAny license issued by the Commission pursuant to this section to a person seeking to sell, offering to sell, or selling electric energy to any retail customer in the Commonwealth may be conditioned upon the licensee furnishing to the Commission prior to the provision of electric energy to consumers proof of adequate access to generation and generation reserves.C\n\nThe Commission:1\n\nShall establish a reasonable period within which any retail customer may cancel, without penalty or cost, any contract entered into with any person licensed pursuant to this section; and2\n\nMay adopt other rules and regulations governing the requirements for obtaining, retaining, and renewing a license issued pursuant to this section, and may, as appropriate, refuse to issue a license to, or suspend, revoke, or refuse to renew the license of, any person that does not meet those requirements.D\n\nEach licensed supplier serving customers of a Phase I Utility, as defined in subdivision A 1 of \u00a7 56-585.1, shall file a report, verified by the president or the equivalent executive of such supplier, with the Commission by March 31 of each year that contains:1\n\nCopies of all marketing materials and other public information conveyed to potential customers regarding the services offered by the supplier;2\n\nUsage and revenue data for the most recent year submitted to the U.S. Energy Information Administration;3\n\nCopies of all agreements entered into during the previous calendar year with such customers taking service under subdivision A 3 of § 56-577. Such agreements may be filed under seal, and if so will be afforded confidential treatment and will not be disclosed beyond the Commission or its staff; and4\n\nA statement that the agreements submitted comply with the Commission’s Rules Governing Retail Access to Competitive Energy Services (20VAC5-312-10 et seq.).\n\t\t\t\tFailure to provide such report may be grounds for suspension or revocation of the supplier’s license to sell retail electric energy within the Commonwealth.E\n\nNotwithstanding the provisions of § 13.1-620, a public service company may, through an affiliate or subsidiary, conduct one or more of the following businesses, even if such business is not related to or incidental to its stated business as a public service company: (i) become licensed as a retail electric energy supplier pursuant to this section, or for purposes of participation in an approved pilot program encompassing retail customer choice of electric energy suppliers; (ii) become licensed as an aggregator pursuant to § 56-588, or for purposes of participation in an approved pilot program encompassing retail customer choice of electric energy suppliers; or (iii) own, manage or control any plant or equipment or any part of a plant or equipment used for the generation of electric energy.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":232787,"text":"As a condition of doing business in the Commonwealth, each person except a default service provider seeking to sell, offering to sell, or selling electric energy to any retail customer in the Commonwealth, on and after January 1, 2002, shall obtain a license from the Commission to do so. A license shall not be required solely for the leasing or financing of property used in the sale of electricity to any retail customer in the Commonwealth.\n\t\t\tThe license shall authorize that person to engage in the activities authorized by such license until the license expires or is otherwise terminated, suspended or revoked.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":232788,"text":"1. As a condition of obtaining, retaining and renewing any license issued pursuant to this section, a person shall satisfy such reasonable and nondiscriminatory requirements as may be specified by the Commission, which may include requirements that such person (i) demonstrate, in a manner satisfactory to the Commission, financial responsibility; (ii) post a bond as deemed adequate by the Commission to ensure that financial responsibility; (iii) pay an annual license fee to be determined by the Commission; and (iv) pay all taxes and fees lawfully imposed by the Commonwealth or by any municipality or other political subdivision of the Commonwealth. In addition, as a condition of obtaining, retaining and renewing any license pursuant to this section, a person shall satisfy such reasonable and nondiscriminatory requirements as may be specified by the Commission, including but not limited to requirements that such person demonstrate (i) technical capabilities as the Commission may deem appropriate; (ii) in the case of a person seeking to sell, offering to sell, or selling electric energy to any retail customer in the Commonwealth, access to generation and generation reserves; and (iii) adherence to minimum market conduct standards.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"B2"},"2":{"id":232789,"text":"Any license issued by the Commission pursuant to this section to a person seeking to sell, offering to sell, or selling electric energy to any retail customer in the Commonwealth may be conditioned upon the licensee furnishing to the Commission prior to the provision of electric energy to consumers proof of adequate access to generation and generation reserves.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"B2","prefix_anchor":"B2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"C"},"3":{"id":232790,"text":"The Commission:","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B2","next_prefix":"C1"},"4":{"id":232791,"text":"Shall establish a reasonable period within which any retail customer may cancel, without penalty or cost, any contract entered into with any person licensed pursuant to this section; and","type":"section","prefixes":["C","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"C1","prefix_anchor":"C1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"C2"},"5":{"id":232792,"text":"May adopt other rules and regulations governing the requirements for obtaining, retaining, and renewing a license issued pursuant to this section, and may, as appropriate, refuse to issue a license to, or suspend, revoke, or refuse to renew the license of, any person that does not meet those requirements.","type":"section","prefixes":["C","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"C2","prefix_anchor":"C2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C1","next_prefix":"D"},"6":{"id":232793,"text":"Each licensed supplier serving customers of a Phase I Utility, as defined in subdivision A 1 of \u00a7 56-585.1, shall file a report, verified by the president or the equivalent executive of such supplier, with the Commission by March 31 of each year that contains:","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C2","next_prefix":"D1"},"7":{"id":232794,"text":"Copies of all marketing materials and other public information conveyed to potential customers regarding the services offered by the supplier;","type":"section","prefixes":["D","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"D1","prefix_anchor":"D1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"D","next_prefix":"D2"},"8":{"id":232795,"text":"Usage and revenue data for the most recent year submitted to the U.S. Energy Information Administration;","type":"section","prefixes":["D","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"D2","prefix_anchor":"D2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"D1","next_prefix":"D3"},"9":{"id":232796,"text":"Copies of all agreements entered into during the previous calendar year with such customers taking service under subdivision A 3 of § 56-577. Such agreements may be filed under seal, and if so will be afforded confidential treatment and will not be disclosed beyond the Commission or its staff; and","type":"section","prefixes":["D","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"D3","prefix_anchor":"D3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"D2","next_prefix":"D4"},"10":{"id":232797,"text":"A statement that the agreements submitted comply with the Commission’s Rules Governing Retail Access to Competitive Energy Services (20VAC5-312-10 et seq.).\n\t\t\t\tFailure to provide such report may be grounds for suspension or revocation of the supplier’s license to sell retail electric energy within the Commonwealth.","type":"section","prefixes":["D","4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"D4","prefix_anchor":"D4","level":2,"prior_prefix":"D3","next_prefix":"E"},"11":{"id":232798,"text":"Notwithstanding the provisions of § 13.1-620, a public service company may, through an affiliate or subsidiary, conduct one or more of the following businesses, even if such business is not related to or incidental to its stated business as a public service company: (i) become licensed as a retail electric energy supplier pursuant to this section, or for purposes of participation in an approved pilot program encompassing retail customer choice of electric energy suppliers; (ii) become licensed as an aggregator pursuant to § 56-588, or for purposes of participation in an approved pilot program encompassing retail customer choice of electric energy suppliers; or (iii) own, manage or control any plant or equipment or any part of a plant or equipment used for the generation of electric energy.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D4"}},"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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jurisdiction","url":"\/56-581\/","token":"56\/23\/56-581","metadata":false},{"id":70038,"structure_id":13084,"section_number":"56-581.1","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/56-581.1\/","token":"56\/23\/56-581.1","metadata":false},{"id":75586,"structure_id":13084,"section_number":"56-582","catch_line":"Rate caps","url":"\/56-582\/","token":"56\/23\/56-582","metadata":false},{"id":60164,"structure_id":13084,"section_number":"56-583","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/56-583\/","token":"56\/23\/56-583","metadata":false},{"id":60319,"structure_id":13084,"section_number":"56-584","catch_line":"Stranded costs","url":"\/56-584\/","token":"56\/23\/56-584","metadata":false},{"id":66252,"structure_id":13084,"section_number":"56-585","catch_line":"Default service","url":"\/56-585\/","token":"56\/23\/56-585","metadata":false},{"id":67687,"structure_id":13084,"section_number":"56-585.1","catch_line":"Generation, distribution, and transmission rates after capped rates terminate or 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This law was first created in 1999. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 411<\/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 2000, chapter 991<\/a>; in 2007, chapters 888<\/a> and 933<\/a>; in 2019, chapter 833<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":61620,"section_number":"56-245.1:2","catch_line":"Customers to be notified of renewable power options","order_by":null,"url":"\/56-245.1_2\/"},{"id":62210,"section_number":"56-576","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/56-576\/"},{"id":78391,"section_number":"56-586","catch_line":"Emergency service provider","order_by":null,"url":"\/56-586\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":63023,"section_number":"13.1-620","catch_line":"Special kinds of business","order_by":null,"url":"\/13.1-620\/"},{"id":79838,"section_number":"56-577","catch_line":"Schedule for transition to retail competition; Commission authority; exemptions; pilot programs","order_by":null,"url":"\/56-577\/"},{"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\/"},{"id":69085,"section_number":"56-588","catch_line":"Licensing of aggregators","order_by":null,"url":"\/56-588\/"}],"permalink":{"id":250751,"object_type":"law","relational_id":63919,"identifier":"56-587","token":"56\/23\/56-587","url":"\/56-587\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/56-587\/","token":"56\/23\/56-587","dublin_core":{"Title":"Licensure of retail electric energy suppliers and persons providing other competitive services","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 56-587","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> As a condition of doing business in the Commonwealth, each person<\/span> except a default<\/span> service provider seeking to sell, offering to sell, or selling electric energy to any retail customer<\/span> in the Commonwealth, on and after January 1, 2002, shall obtain a license from the Commission<\/span> to do so. A license shall not be required solely for the leasing or financing of property used in the sale of electricity to any retail customer<\/span> in the Commonwealth.\n\t\t\tThe license shall authorize that person<\/span> to engage in the activities authorized by such license until the license expires or is otherwise terminated, suspended or revoked. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> 1. As a condition of obtaining, retaining and renewing any license issued pursuant to this section, a person<\/span> shall satisfy such reasonable and nondiscriminatory requirements as may be specified by the Commission<\/span>, which may include requirements that such person<\/span> (i) demonstrate, in a manner satisfactory to the Commission<\/span>, financial responsibility; (ii) post a bond<\/span> as deemed adequate by the Commission<\/span> to ensure that financial responsibility; (iii) pay an annual license fee to be determined by the Commission<\/span>; and (iv) pay all taxes and fees lawfully imposed by the Commonwealth or by any municipality<\/span> or other political subdivision of the Commonwealth. In addition, as a condition of obtaining, retaining and renewing any license pursuant to this section, a person<\/span> shall satisfy such reasonable and nondiscriminatory requirements as may be specified by the Commission<\/span>, including but not limited to requirements that such person<\/span> demonstrate (i) technical capabilities as the Commission<\/span> may deem appropriate; (ii) in the case of a person<\/span> seeking to sell, offering to sell, or selling electric energy to any retail customer<\/span> in the Commonwealth, access to generation and generation reserves; and (iii) adherence to minimum market conduct standards. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> Any license issued by the Commission<\/span> pursuant to this section to a person<\/span> seeking to sell, offering to sell, or selling electric energy to any retail customer<\/span> in the Commonwealth may be conditioned upon the licensee furnishing to the Commission<\/span> prior to the provision of electric energy to consumers proof of adequate access to generation and generation reserves. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> The Commission<\/span>: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> Shall establish a reasonable period within which any retail customer<\/span> may cancel, without penalty<\/span> or cost, any contract<\/span> entered into with any person<\/span> licensed pursuant to this section; and <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> May adopt other rules and regulations governing the requirements for obtaining, retaining, and renewing a license issued pursuant to this section, and may, as appropriate, refuse to issue<\/span> a license to, or suspend, revoke, or refuse to renew the license of, any person<\/span> that does not meet those requirements. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> Each licensed supplier<\/span> serving customers of a Phase I Utility, as defined in subdivision A 1 of \u00a7 56-585.1<\/a>, shall file a report, verified by the president or the equivalent executive of such supplier<\/span>, with the Commission<\/span> by March 31 of each year that contains: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> Copies of all marketing materials<\/span> and other public information conveyed to potential customers regarding the services offered by the supplier<\/span>; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> Usage and revenue data for the most recent year submitted to the U.S. Energy Information Administration; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> Copies of all agreements entered into during the previous calendar year with such customers taking service under subdivision A 3 of § 56-577<\/a>. Such agreements may be filed under seal, and if so will be afforded confidential treatment and will not be disclosed beyond the Commission<\/span> or its staff; and <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> A statement that the agreements submitted comply with the Commission<\/span>’s Rules Governing Retail Access to Competitive Energy Services (20VAC5-312-10 et seq.).\n\t\t\t\tFailure to provide such report may be grounds for suspension or revocation<\/span> of the supplier<\/span>’s license to sell retail electric energy<\/span> within the Commonwealth. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> Notwithstanding the provisions of § 13.1-620<\/a>, a public service company<\/span> may, through an affiliate<\/span> or subsidiary, conduct one or more of the following businesses, even if such business is not related to or incidental to its stated business as a public service company<\/span>: (i) become licensed as a retail electric energy<\/span> supplier<\/span> pursuant to this section, or for purposes of participation in an approved pilot program encompassing retail customer choice<\/span> of electric energy suppliers<\/span>; (ii) become licensed as an aggregator<\/span> pursuant to § 56-588<\/a>, or for purposes of participation in an approved pilot program encompassing retail customer choice<\/span> of electric energy suppliers<\/span>; or (iii) own, manage or control any plant or equipment or any part of a plant or equipment used for the generation of<\/span> electric energy. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nLICENSURE OF RETAIL ELECTRIC ENERGY SUPPLIERS AND PERSONS PROVIDING OTHER\nCOMPETITIVE SERVICES (\u00a7 56-587)\n\nA. As a condition of doing business in the Commonwealth, each person except a\ndefault service provider seeking to sell, offering to sell, or selling electric\nenergy to any retail customer in the Commonwealth, on and after January 1, 2002,\nshall obtain a license from the Commission to do so. A license shall not be\nrequired solely for the leasing or financing of property used in the sale of\nelectricity to any retail customer in the Commonwealth.\n\t\t\tThe license shall authorize that person to engage in the activities\nauthorized by such license until the license expires or is otherwise terminated,\nsuspended or revoked.\n\nB. 1. As a condition of obtaining, retaining and renewing any license issued\npursuant to this section, a person shall satisfy such reasonable and\nnondiscriminatory requirements as may be specified by the Commission, which may\ninclude requirements that such person (i) demonstrate, in a manner satisfactory\nto the Commission, financial responsibility; (ii) post a bond as deemed adequate\nby the Commission to ensure that financial responsibility; (iii) pay an annual\nlicense fee to be determined by the Commission; and (iv) pay all taxes and fees\nlawfully imposed by the Commonwealth or by any municipality or other political\nsubdivision of the Commonwealth. In addition, as a condition of obtaining,\nretaining and renewing any license pursuant to this section, a person shall\nsatisfy such reasonable and nondiscriminatory requirements as may be specified\nby the Commission, including but not limited to requirements that such person\ndemonstrate (i) technical capabilities as the Commission may deem appropriate;\n(ii) in the case of a person seeking to sell, offering to sell, or selling\nelectric energy to any retail customer in the Commonwealth, access to generation\nand generation reserves; and (iii) adherence to minimum market conduct\nstandards.\n\n 2. Any license issued by the Commission pursuant to this section to a person\n seeking to sell, offering to sell, or selling electric energy to any retail\n customer in the Commonwealth may be conditioned upon the licensee furnishing\n to the Commission prior to the provision of electric energy to consumers proof\n of adequate access to generation and generation reserves.\n\nC. The Commission:\n\n 1. Shall establish a reasonable period within which any retail customer may\n cancel, without penalty or cost, any contract entered into with any person\n licensed pursuant to this section; and\n\n 2. May adopt other rules and regulations governing the requirements for\n obtaining, retaining, and renewing a license issued pursuant to this section,\n and may, as appropriate, refuse to issue a license to, or suspend, revoke, or\n refuse to renew the license of, any person that does not meet those\n requirements.\n\nD. Each licensed supplier serving customers of a Phase I Utility, as defined in\nsubdivision A 1 of \u00a7 56-585.1, shall file a report, verified by the president\nor the equivalent executive of such supplier, with the Commission by March 31 of\neach year that contains:\n\n 1. Copies of all marketing materials and other public information conveyed to\n potential customers regarding the services offered by the supplier;\n\n 2. Usage and revenue data for the most recent year submitted to the U.S.\n Energy Information Administration;\n\n 3. Copies of all agreements entered into during the previous calendar year\n with such customers taking service under subdivision A 3 of § 56-577.\n Such agreements may be filed under seal, and if so will be afforded\n confidential treatment and will not be disclosed beyond the Commission or its\n staff; and\n\n 4. A statement that the agreements submitted comply with the\n Commission’s Rules Governing Retail Access to Competitive Energy\n Services (20VAC5-312-10 et seq.).\n \t\t\t\tFailure to provide such report may be grounds for suspension or revocation\n of the supplier’s license to sell retail electric energy within the\n Commonwealth.\n\nE. Notwithstanding the provisions of § 13.1-620, a public service company\nmay, through an affiliate or subsidiary, conduct one or more of the following\nbusinesses, even if such business is not related to or incidental to its stated\nbusiness as a public service company: (i) become licensed as a retail electric\nenergy supplier pursuant to this section, or for purposes of participation in an\napproved pilot program encompassing retail customer choice of electric energy\nsuppliers; (ii) become licensed as an aggregator pursuant to § 56-588, or\nfor purposes of participation in an approved pilot program encompassing retail\ncustomer choice of electric energy suppliers; or (iii) own, manage or control\nany plant or equipment or any part of a plant or equipment used for the\ngeneration of electric energy.\n\nHISTORY: 1999, c. 411; 2000, c. 991; 2007, cc. 888, 933; 2019, c. 833.","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}}