20VAC5-319-50. Utility certification process.
A. Each Phase I Utility and Phase II Utility shall establish a process to certify ARBs based on receipt and review of Accelerated Renewable Energy Buyer Certification Forms submitted to the utility by potential ARBs. In reviewing the information submitted by potential ARBs required for certification, each Phase I Utility and Phase II Utility shall ensure that the appropriate internal protections are in place to protect the confidentiality of that information from those within the utility serving in marketing roles or from unauthorized disclosure to third parties.
B. By May 1 annually, each Phase I Utility and Phase II Utility shall submit to commission staff a complete list of ARBs certified by the utility. Each Phase I Utility and Phase II Utility shall submit additional information to support its certification decisions to commission staff upon request. Any potential ARB that contests the certification decision made by a Phase I or Phase II Utility may file a formal complaint with the commission pursuant to 5VAC5-20-100 within 10 business days of the certification decision. Commission staff may contest the certification decision made by a Phase I or Phase II Utility by filing a motion with the commission pursuant to 5VAC5-20-90, or, as appropriate, through other relevant proceedings before the commission. Any statutorily exempt charges incurred by the potential ARB after June 1 are subject to collection or refund, depending on the certification decision.
C. Customers certified as ARBs through this process shall be exempt from the applicable charges, which could be a full or partial exemption, for one year starting June 1 and concluding May 31 following certification.
D. For a potential ARB that seeks certification based on its load and renewable energy under contract for the 2020 calendar year, the ARB must submit an Accelerated Renewable Energy Buyer Certification Form by March 1, 2022, based on information for the 2020 calendar year. Customers that are certified as ARBs based on 2020 calendar year information will receive a refund of applicable charges for the period of June 1, 2021, to May 31, 2022.
Statutory Authority
§§ 12.1-13 and 56-585.5 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 38, Issue 11, eff. February 1, 2022.