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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>85339</law_id><section_number>56-592</section_number><catch_line>Consumer education and marketing practices</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>56-592.1</reference><reference>56-593</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="23">Virginia Electric Utility Regulation Act</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> The <span class="dictionary">Commission</span> shall develop an electric energy consumer education program designed to provide the following information to <span class="dictionary">retail customers</span>: <a id="paragraph-305723" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/56-592/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A1" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> Information regarding energy conservation, energy efficiency, demand-side management, <span class="dictionary">demand response</span>, and <span class="dictionary">renewable energy</span>; <a id="paragraph-305724" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/56-592/#A1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A2" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> Information concerning demand-side management and <span class="dictionary">demand response</span> programs offered in the Commonwealth to <span class="dictionary">retail customers</span>; <a id="paragraph-305725" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/56-592/#A2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A3" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">3.</span> Information regarding the matters described in subdivisions 1 and 2 that are specifically designed for the industrial, commercial, residential, and government sectors; and <a id="paragraph-305726" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/56-592/#A3"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A4" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">4.</span> Such other information as the <span class="dictionary">Commission</span> may deem necessary and appropriate <span class="dictionary">in the public interest</span>. <a id="paragraph-305727" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/56-592/#A4"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> The <span class="dictionary">Commission</span> shall complete the development of the consumer education program described in subsection A, and report its <span class="dictionary">findings</span> and recommendations to the <span class="dictionary">Commission</span> on <span class="dictionary">Electric Utility</span> Regulation as frequently as may be required by such <span class="dictionary">Commission</span> concerning: <a id="paragraph-305728" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/56-592/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B1" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> The scope of such recommended program consistent with the requirements of subsection A; <a id="paragraph-305729" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/56-592/#B1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B2" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> <span class="dictionary">Materials</span> and media required to effectuate any such program; <a id="paragraph-305730" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/56-592/#B2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B3" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">3.</span> State agency and nongovernmental entity participation; <a id="paragraph-305731" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/56-592/#B3"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B4" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">4.</span> Program duration; <a id="paragraph-305732" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/56-592/#B4"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B5" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">5.</span> Funding requirements and mechanisms for any such program; and <a id="paragraph-305733" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/56-592/#B5"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B6" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">6.</span> Such other <span class="dictionary">findings</span> and recommendations the <span class="dictionary">Commission</span> deems appropriate <span class="dictionary">in the public interest</span>. <a id="paragraph-305734" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/56-592/#B6"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C"><p><span class="prefix-number">C.</span> The <span class="dictionary">Commission</span> shall develop regulations governing marketing practices by public service companies, licensed <span class="dictionary">suppliers</span>, <span class="dictionary">aggregators</span> or any other providers of services made competitive by this chapter, including regulations to prevent unauthorized switching of <span class="dictionary">suppliers</span>, unauthorized charges, and improper solicitation activities. The <span class="dictionary">Commission</span> shall also establish standards for marketing information to be furnished by licensed <span class="dictionary">suppliers</span>, <span class="dictionary">aggregators</span> or any other providers of services made competitive by this chapter, which information shall include standards concerning: <a id="paragraph-305735" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/56-592/#C"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C1" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> Pricing and other key <span class="dictionary">contract</span> terms and conditions; <a id="paragraph-305736" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/56-592/#C1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C2" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> To the extent feasible, fuel mix and emissions data on at least an annualized basis; <a id="paragraph-305737" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/56-592/#C2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C3" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">3.</span> Customer&#x2019;s rights of cancellation following execution of any <span class="dictionary">contract</span>; <a id="paragraph-305738" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/56-592/#C3"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C4" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">4.</span> Toll-free telephone number for customer assistance; and <a id="paragraph-305739" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/56-592/#C4"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C5" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">5.</span> Such other and further marketing information as the <span class="dictionary">Commission</span> may deem necessary and appropriate <span class="dictionary">in the public interest</span>. <a id="paragraph-305740" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/56-592/#C5"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D"><p><span class="prefix-number">D.</span> The <span class="dictionary">Commission</span> shall also establish standards for billing information to be furnished by public service companies, <span class="dictionary">suppliers</span>, <span class="dictionary">aggregators</span> or any other providers of services made competitive by this chapter. Such billing information standards shall require that billing formation: <a id="paragraph-305741" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/56-592/#D"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D1" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> Distinguishes between charges for regulated services and unregulated services; <a id="paragraph-305742" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/56-592/#D1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D2" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> Is presented in a format that complies with standards to be established by the <span class="dictionary">Commission</span>; <a id="paragraph-305743" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/56-592/#D2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D3" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">3.</span> Discloses, to the extent feasible, fuel mix and emissions data on at least an annualized basis; and <a id="paragraph-305744" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/56-592/#D3"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D4" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">4.</span> Includes such other billing information as the <span class="dictionary">Commission</span> deems necessary and appropriate <span class="dictionary">in the public interest</span>. <a id="paragraph-305745" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/56-592/#D4"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="E"><p><span class="prefix-number">E.</span> The <span class="dictionary">Commission</span> shall establish or maintain a complaint bureau for the purpose of receiving, reviewing and investigating complaints by <span class="dictionary">retail customers</span> against public service companies, licensed <span class="dictionary">suppliers</span>, <span class="dictionary">aggregators</span> and other providers of any services made competitive under this chapter. Upon the request of any interested <span class="dictionary">person</span> or the <span class="dictionary">Attorney General</span>, or upon its own <span class="dictionary">motion</span>, the <span class="dictionary">Commission</span> shall be authorized to inquire into possible violations of this chapter and to enjoin or punish any violations thereof pursuant to its authority under this chapter, this title, and under Title 12.1. The <span class="dictionary">Attorney General</span> shall have a right to participate in such proceedings consistent with the <span class="dictionary">Commission</span>&#x2019;s Rules of Practice and Procedure. <a id="paragraph-305746" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/56-592/#E"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="F"><p><span class="prefix-number">F.</span> The <span class="dictionary">Commission</span> shall establish reasonable limits on customer security deposits required by public service companies, <span class="dictionary">suppliers</span>, <span class="dictionary">aggregators</span> or any other <span class="dictionary">persons</span> providing competitive services pursuant to this chapter. <a id="paragraph-305747" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/56-592/#F"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>1999, c. 411; 2003, c. 885; 2008, c. 883.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
