LIS

Administrative Code

Creating a Report: Check the sections you'd like to appear in the report, then use the "Create Report" button at the bottom of the page to generate your report. Once the report is generated you'll then have the option to download it as a pdf, print or email the report.

Virginia Administrative Code
Title 20. Public Utilities And Telecommunications
Agency 5. State Corporation Commission
Chapter 305. Rules for Electricity and Natural Gas Submetering and for Energy Allocation Equipment
10/10/2024

20VAC5-305-40. Submetering.

When submeters are installed by the owners to measure the electricity or natural gas used by its tenants, all charges for electricity or natural gas used, except the allowed service charge, shall be calculated from the readings of such submeters.

Submeters in service may be tested by the owner, the Commission, or any other lawfully constituted authority having jurisdiction. When, as a result of such a test, a submeter is found to be no more than 2.0% fast or slow, no adjustment will be made to the tenant's bill. If the submeter is found to be more than 2.0% fast or slow because of incorrect calibration, the owner will rebill the tenant for the correct amount as calculated for a period equal to ½ of the time elapsed since the last previous test, but in no case for a period in excess of 12 months or since occupancy by the existing tenant, whichever is less. The percentage registration of an electric submeter will be calculated by the "weighted average" of light load and full load which is calculated by giving a value of one to the light load and a value of four to the full load. The accuracy of a natural gas submeter will be measured at the check rate of flow, as defined in ANSI B109.

Whenever it is found that unmetered electricity or natural gas is being used as a result of tampering, the tenant will pay to the owner an amount estimated by the owner to be sufficient to cover the electricity or natural gas used but not recorded by the meter and not previously paid for by the tenant.

Whenever it is found that, for any reason other than calibration or tampering, the submetering apparatus has not registered the true amount of electricity or natural gas which has been used by the tenant, the electricity or natural gas used during the entire period of incorrect registration will be estimated based upon all known pertinent facts, and the amount of electricity or natural gas so estimated will be used in calculating the corrected bill. The owner will rebill the tenant for the adjusted amount for a period equal to one-half of the time elapsed since the last previous test for submetering apparatus, but in no case for a period in excess of 12 months or since occupancy by the existing tenant, whichever is less.

Statutory Authority

§ 56-245.2 et seq. of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Case No. PUE920067 §IV, eff. July 1, 1993.

Website addresses provided in the Virginia Administrative Code to documents incorporated by reference are for the reader's convenience only, may not necessarily be active or current, and should not be relied upon. To ensure the information incorporated by reference is accurate, the reader is encouraged to use the source document described in the regulation.

As a service to the public, the Virginia Administrative Code is provided online by the Virginia General Assembly. We are unable to answer legal questions or respond to requests for legal advice, including application of law to specific fact. To understand and protect your legal rights, you should consult an attorney.