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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>83780</law_id><section_number>56-250</section_number><catch_line>Commission may authorize action by public utility in time of emergency or shortage; plans</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>56-265.13:7</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="3">Powers of Commission in Relation to Service</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> Whenever it shall appear by satisfactory <span class="dictionary">evidence</span> that any public utility furnishing in this State power, heat, light or water cannot supply all of its customers the usual requirements of each by reason of strikes, accidents, want of fuel, or for any other reason, the <span class="dictionary">Commission</span> may authorize such public utility to take such action as, in the <span class="dictionary">opinion</span> of the <span class="dictionary">Commission</span>, will minimize adverse impact on the public health and safety and facilitate restoration of normal service to all customers at the earliest time practicable. <a id="paragraph-300324" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/56-250/#1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="2"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> To facilitate implementation of this section, the <span class="dictionary">Commission</span> may require any such public utility to file, as a part of the rules and regulations referred to in &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Public utilities required to file schedules of rates and charges; rules and regulations; when detariffing of telephone services to be permitted" href="/56-236/">56-236</a>, its plan for curtailment of service in such a condition of emergency or shortage. Such plans shall be considered and shall take effect in the manner provided in this chapter for the <span class="dictionary">schedules</span> of <span class="dictionary">rates</span> and charges and rules and regulations of public utilities. <a id="paragraph-300325" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/56-250/#2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>1920, p. 232; Michie Code 1942, &#xA7; 4072a; 1974, c. 478; 1975, c. 358.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
