EXCEPTIONS TO CERTIFICATE REQUIREMENT FOR SERVICE EXTENSION.

(a) An electric utility is not required to obtain a certificate for an:

(1) extension into territory that is:

(A) contiguous to the territory the electric utility serves;

(B) not receiving similar service from another electric utility; and

(C) not in another electric utility's certificated area;

(2) extension in or to territory the utility serves or is authorized to serve under a certificate; or

(3) operation, extension, or service in progress on September 1, 1975.

(b) An extension allowed under Subsection (a) is limited to a device used:

(1) to interconnect existing facilities; or

(2) solely to transmit electric utility services from an existing facility to a customer of retail electric utility service.

(c) An electric utility is not required to amend the utility's certificate of public convenience and necessity to construct a transmission line that connects the utility's existing transmission facilities to a substation or metering point if:

(1) the transmission line does not exceed:

(A) five miles in length, if the line connects to a load-serving substation or metering point; or

(B) two miles in length, if the line connects to a generation substation or metering point;

(2) each landowner whose property would be directly affected by the transmission line, as provided by commission rules, provides written consent for the transmission line; and

(3) all rights-of-way necessary for construction of the transmission line have been purchased.