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<section article="gpu" article_name="Public Utilities" number="5-204" title_number="5" title_name="Powers, Duties, and Prohibitions" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Powers of Public Service Companies">
  <level label="a">
    <text>This section does not apply to:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>a municipal corporation, sanitary district, or other unit of government;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>an individual, for the construction of a water system or sewage disposal system for the individual’s personal or private use; or</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>a group of individuals for their joint personal or private use, unless the Commission finds that the joint use is for the purpose of generally serving a proposed new housing development.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="b">
    <text>Without the prior authorization of the Commission, a person may not construct a water system or sewage disposal system for public use.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="c">
    <level label="1">
      <text>The Commission may authorize the construction of a water system or sewage disposal system for public use only on a finding that the construction of the water system or sewage disposal system is in the public interest.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>In determining whether the proposed construction of the water system or sewage disposal system is in the public interest, the Commission shall consider:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>the financing plans for the proposed construction; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>other pertinent facts and circumstances.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="d">
    <text>An applicant for authorization to construct a water system or sewage disposal system:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>shall fully disclose to the Commission the financing plans for the construction; and</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>has the burden of proof to satisfy the Commission that the construction is in the public interest.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="e">
    <level label="1">
      <text>After a hearing, the Commission may revoke an authorization to construct a water system or sewage disposal system if the Commission finds that the revocation is in the public interest.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>An order of revocation may be appealed in accordance with § 3-204 of this article.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>Subject to action of the Commission under § 3-205 of this article, the filing of an appeal does not stay an order of revocation.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="4">
      <text>After the Commission issues an order of revocation, the water system or sewage disposal system may not be operated until the revocation is repealed by:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>the Commission; or</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>the final disposition of an appeal from the order of revocation.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
  </level>
</section>
