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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>66652</law_id><section_number>56-235.3</section_number><catch_line>Procedures for investigation of rate applications</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>56-234.3</reference></referred_to_by><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="56">Public Service Companies</unit><unit label="chapter" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="10">Heat, Light, Power, Water and Other Utility Companies Generally</unit><unit label="article" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="2">Services, Rates, Charges, Etc</unit></structure><text>
						<section><p>At any <span class="dictionary">hearing</span> on the application of a public utility for a change in a <span class="dictionary">rate</span>, toll, charge or schedule, the <span class="dictionary">burden of proof</span> to show that the proposed change is just and reasonable, shall be upon the public utility. The <span class="dictionary">Commission</span> shall be authorized to prescribe all necessary rules and regulations for the conduct of such <span class="dictionary">hearings</span> which shall provide for full and fair participation in such <span class="dictionary">hearings</span> by any interested <span class="dictionary">person</span> subject to such guidelines as the <span class="dictionary">Commission</span> may deem appropriate. Upon the conclusion of such <span class="dictionary">hearings</span>, the <span class="dictionary">Commission</span> shall <span class="dictionary">issue</span> an <span class="dictionary">order</span> and such <span class="dictionary">opinion</span> as is necessary to set forth fully the <span class="dictionary">Commission</span>&#x2019;s <span class="dictionary">findings</span> of <span class="dictionary">fact</span> and conclusions of <span class="dictionary">law</span>. Copies of the <span class="dictionary">transcripts</span> of public <span class="dictionary">hearings</span> held to establish a fair <span class="dictionary">rate</span> of return and changes in <span class="dictionary">rates</span>, tolls and charges for investor-owned public utilities involving significant public interest shall be placed in no less than one location nor more than three locations in the geographic area served by the utility. The <span class="dictionary">Commission</span> shall determine which proceedings are of sufficient interest to require the placing of such <span class="dictionary">transcripts</span> and the location or locations to be used; provided, however, that proceedings involving investor-owned utilities serving 25,000 or more customers shall be deemed to be of sufficient public interest.</p></section></text><history>1977, c. 336.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
