Sec. 111.302. COMMISSION AUTHORITY TO ISSUE CERTIFICATES. (a) The commission is further authorized, empowered, and directed to issue certificates of public convenience and necessity to pipelines transporting coal in whatever form or mixture for hire in Texas if the commission finds that the public convenience and necessity will be served in that existing facilities will not be able to provide the transportation as economically or efficiently as the proposed pipeline.

(b) In exercising its powers and duties under this section, the commission may not issue a permit for or attempt to regulate in any manner the condemnation, appropriation, or acquisition of surface or ground water in Texas.

(c) The commission shall not issue a permit, certificate, or any authority to any applicant whose rates and charges are not regulated by government authority, either state or federal, and that state or federal regulations insure to the public and to the ultimate electric consumer that the contracts, rates, and charges shall be just and reasonable, nondiscriminatory, and offering no preference or advantage to any person, corporation, entity, or group.

(d) The commission shall not issue a permit, certificate, or any authority to any applicant whose pipeline transporting coal in whatever form unless the pipeline transporting coal in whatever form is to be buried at least 36 inches below the surface, except in such instances in which the commission specifically exempts the 36-inch depth requirement and unless the pipeline transporting coal in whatever form conforms to all applicable state or federal regulations concerning the operation, maintenance, and construction of that same pipeline.

(e) The commission shall condition the issuance of a certification upon the requirement that the pipeline company shall take no more than 50 feet in width of right-of-way under the power of eminent domain, except for temporary work areas adjacent to the right-of-way and then not to exceed 100 feet in width for the duration of the construction period only; and provided that any condemnation award granted under this chapter shall take into account the damages to the remainder caused by the exercise of eminent domain for the temporary work areas.

Acts 1977, 65th Leg., p. 2693, ch. 871, art. II, Sec. 3, eff. Sept. 1, 1977.