Maine Revised Statutes Title 35-A. Public Utilities § 4514. Standing of utility in filing for permits

1. Utilities may file for license and permit. When a natural gas pipeline utility, which intends to operate within this State, has filed for either a certificate of public convenience and necessity to be issued under the Federal Natural Gas Act  1 or, in the case of an intrastate gas pipeline company, has filed for the necessary authorization from the commission, that utility may file and process an application for any license, permit or order necessary to obtain all governmental approvals with regard to the location, construction, completion and operation of that pipeline within this State. The effective date of the license, permit, order or governmental approval which is granted or issued may be conditioned upon or suspended until the issuance of the certificate of public convenience and necessity or commission authorization.

2. Application to Department of Environmental Protection before certificate is issued. If a natural gas pipeline utility applies to the Department of Environmental Protection for any required licenses or approvals before it is issued a certificate of public convenience and necessity under the Federal Natural Gas Act or authorization by the commission, it shall file a bond with the Department of Environmental Protection payable to the department in a form satisfactory to the Commissioner of Environmental Protection. The Commissioner of Environmental Protection shall determine the amount of the bond which may not exceed $50,000. The bond shall be conditioned to require the applicant to reimburse the department for its costs incurred in processing any application in the event that the applicant does not receive a certificate of public convenience and necessity as described in this section.

3. Notification of landowners. A natural gas pipeline utility which applies for site location of development approval under Title 38, chapter 3, subchapter I, article 6, shall:  2

4. Company not excused from obtaining proprietary rights. Nothing in this section excuses a natural gas pipeline utility or other entity from obtaining appropriate proprietary rights in state-owned land prior to the construction or operation of a pipeline within this State.