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SB 104

Electric utilities; customer bill requirements, rate adjustment clauses.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Bill Stanley

Virginia bill requiring electric utilities to modify customer bill formatting and clarify rate adjustment clause procedures to enhance transparency and regulatory oversight.

Fiscal Impact Statement from State Corporation Commission (SB104)
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Bill Summary · SB 104

Legislative bill overview

SB 104 modifies Virginia's electric utility billing requirements and rate adjustment clause procedures. The bill appears to establish new standards for how utilities must present charges on customer bills and governs the mechanisms through which utilities can adjust rates outside of regular rate cases.

Why is this important

Electric bills are a major household expense for most Virginians, and billing transparency directly affects consumer understanding of their costs. Rate adjustment clauses allow utilities to pass through costs to customers quickly without full regulatory review, making their design and disclosure critical to protecting both consumers and utility financial stability.

Potential points of contention

  • Billing complexity vs. clarity: Utilities may argue that detailed itemization of all charges increases administrative costs and bill complexity, while consumer advocates may demand greater transparency about what customers are paying for
  • Rate adjustment mechanisms: There's inherent tension between allowing utilities needed flexibility to recover legitimate costs (fuel, infrastructure) and preventing excessive charges that bypass normal regulatory scrutiny
  • Compliance costs: Utilities may face significant system upgrades to meet new billing format requirements, with unclear burden on ratepayers versus shareholders

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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