Virginia customers could combine power use to seek supplier choice

The provision describes a process for eligible nonresidential customers to seek permission to combine their electricity demand and qualify to buy power from licensed suppliers. The provision covers two or more nonresidential customers of a Phase I or Phase II utility, each with a noncoincident peak demand of no more than five megawatts in the most recent calendar year. The Commission may approve a petition after notice and a chance for a hearing if it finds the arrangement serves the public interest and does not harm the utility or customers who stay with it. Customers must notify the Commission and utility in writing if they aggregate. The Commission may require monitoring and reports, and may revoke approval if the group no longer meets the demand limit. The demand limit applies to calendar year 2024 and later years, measured during the most recent calendar year.