18-15-503. Powers.

18-15-503. Powers. (a)(1)(A) An electric utility organized or domesticated under the laws of this state for the purpose of generating, transmitting, distributing, or supplying electricity to or for the public for compensation or for public use may construct, operate, and maintain such lines of wire, cables, poles, or other structures necessary for the transmission or distribution of electricity and broadband services: (i) Along and over the public highways and the streets of the cities and towns of the state; (ii) Across or under the waters of the state; (iii) Over any lands or public works belonging to the state; (iv) On and over the lands of private individuals or other persons; (v) Upon, along, and parallel to any railroad or turnpike of the state; and (vi) On and over the bridges, trestles, and structures of railroads. (B) In constructing such dams as the electric utility may be authorized to construct for the purpose of generating electricity by water power, the electric utility may flow the lands above the dams with backwater resulting from construction. (2)(A) However, the ordinary use of the public highways, streets, works, railroads, bridges, trestles, or structures and turnpikes shall not be obstructed, nor the navigation of the waters impeded, and just damages shall be paid to the owners of such lands, railroads, and turnpikes. (B) The permission of the proper municipal authorities shall be obtained for the use of the streets. (b)(1) In the event that an electric utility, upon application to the individual, railroad, turnpike company, or other persons, should fail to secure by consent, contract, or agreement, a right-of-way for the purposes enumerated in subsection (a) of this section, then the electric utility shall have the right to proceed to procure the condemnation of the property, lands, rights, privileges, and easements in the manner prescribed in this subchapter. (2) However, an electric utility shall not be required to secure by consent, contract, or agreement or to procure by condemnation the right to provide broadband services over its own lines of wire, cables, poles, or other structures that are in service at the time that the electric utility provides broadband services over the lines of wire, cables, poles, or other structures. (c) Whenever an electric utility desires to construct its line on or along the lands of individuals or other persons or on the right-of-way and the structures of any railroad or upon and along any turnpike, the electric utility, by its agent, shall have the right to enter peacefully upon the lands, structures, or right-of-way and survey, locate, and lay out its line thereon, being liable, however, for any damage that may result by reason of the acts.