(a) The Public Utilities Regulatory Authority shall order and direct the electric distribution companies providing electric distribution services in this state to extend lines in their chartered territory to all unserved areas having a density of subscribers for electric distribution service averaging at least two per mile on such proposed new lines, in accordance with the provisions of this section.

(b) The Public Utilities Regulatory Authority is directed, in considering the rates of electric distribution companies or in the proceedings having to do with such rates, to consider the expenses and revenues of each company as a whole, in arriving at a fair return on the fair value of such properties. In prescribing a rate for service on such new lines, the authority shall exercise its statutory powers, except that the guarantee required shall not exceed thirteen dollars and fifty cents per mile per month.

(c) The Public Utilities Regulatory Authority is directed to advance the objects of this section in every lawful manner.

(d) Nothing in this section shall authorize the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority to order and direct electric distribution companies to extend their lines in their chartered territory over or under any body of water or elsewhere than along public highways unless said authority, exercising its powers under section 16-20, finds such extension to be economically justifiable.

(1949 Rev., S. 5673; 1955, S. 2616d; P.A. 75-486, S. 1, 69; P.A. 77-614, S. 162, 610; P.A. 80-482, S. 114, 348; P.A. 98-28, S. 102, 117; P.A. 11-80, S. 1; P.A. 14-134, S. 99.)

History: P.A. 75-486 replaced public utilities commission with public utilities control authority; P.A. 77-614 replaced public utilities control authority with division of public utility control within the department of business regulation, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 80-482 made division an independent department and deleted reference to abolished department of business regulation; P.A. 98-28 amended Subsec. (a) by changing electric utility companies distributing current to electric and electric distribution companies providing electric distribution services and amended Subsecs. (b) and (d) by adding electric distribution companies, effective July 1, 1998; pursuant to P.A. 11-80, “Department of Public Utility Control” and “department” were changed editorially by the Revisors to “Public Utilities Regulatory Authority” and “authority”, respectively, effective July 1, 2011; P.A. 14-134 deleted references to electric companies, effective June 6, 2014.

To refuse an extension, commission must find facts from which it reasonably concludes that the order for extension would amount to a use of the company's property without just compensation or to the imposition of a discriminatory rate upon other subscribers. 142 C. 359.