Sec. 16-261. Extension of electric lines to unserved areas. Determination of rates.
Sec. 16-261. Extension of electric lines to unserved areas. Determination of
rates. (a) The Department of Public Utility Control shall order and direct the electric
and 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 Department of Public Utility Control is directed, in considering the rates
of electric or 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 department shall exercise its statutory powers, except that the
guarantee required shall not exceed thirteen dollars and fifty cents per mile per month.
(c) The Department of Public Utility Control is directed to advance the objects of
this section in every lawful manner.
(d) Nothing in this section shall authorize the Department of Public Utility Control
to order and direct electric or 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 such department, 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.)
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.
To refuse an extension the 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.