                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

PROCEDURES FOR INVESTIGATION OF RATE APPLICATIONS (§ 56-235.3)

At any hearing on the application of a public utility for a change in a rate,
toll, charge or schedule, the burden of proof to show that the proposed change
is just and reasonable, shall be upon the public utility. The Commission shall
be authorized to prescribe all necessary rules and regulations for the conduct
of such hearings which shall provide for full and fair participation in such
hearings by any interested person subject to such guidelines as the Commission
may deem appropriate. Upon the conclusion of such hearings, the Commission shall
issue an order and such opinion as is necessary to set forth fully the
Commission&#8217;s findings of fact and conclusions of law. Copies of the
transcripts of public hearings held to establish a fair rate of return and
changes in rates, 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 Commission shall determine which proceedings are of sufficient
interest to require the placing of such transcripts 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.

HISTORY: 1977, c. 336.