CODE OF VIRGINIA

RATES TO BE CHARGED CHURCHES (§ 56-236.1)

No electric utility, subject to regulation by the Commission, shall charge a
church for its services by any method other than actual kilowatt hour
consumption; nor shall any such electric utility charge a church for its
electrical service at a rate in excess of the applicable residential rate for
the area in which it is located. As used in this section, “church”
shall be limited to the synagogue or church building in which the sanctuary or
principal place of worship is located and to all educational buildings which are
physically attached by enclosed corridors or hallways to the building in which
the sanctuary or principal place of worship is located.Notwithstanding the
requirements of the first sentence of this section, the Commission may, after a
hearing upon application by an electric utility, set a rate for churches in
excess of the applicable residential rate if the utility proves that the cost of
service for churches exceeds the cost of service for those other customers under
the residential rate. In setting such a rate, the Commission shall consider the
special use characteristics of churches, such as the amount of electricity
utilized during off-peak power periods for the utility. The provisions of this
section shall not apply to churches which are served by an electric utility
having a time of usage rate approved by the Commission and which have elected to
be on such time of usage rate.

HISTORY: 1978, c. 531; 1980, c. 259.