Section 37-2-4.1 Owners of Land Proposed to Be Acquired by Utility or Telephone Company to Be Given Notice of Filing of Application for Certificate of Convenience and Necessity.

Any utility or telephone company that is required to obtain a certificate of convenience and necessity under Section 37-2-4 or Section 37-4-28 from the Alabama Public Service Commission for the construction or operation of any facility must give notice of the filing of such application with said commission to the reasonably identifiable owners of all lands which are proposed to be acquired for such construction or operation for which the certificate of convenience and necessity is sought; except, that such notice requirement shall not apply to the acquisition of lands or interest in lands for utility or telephone transmission or distribution lines or to the purchase, lease or other acquisition of an existing utility or telephone system. Such notice must be given in writing, and proof of service thereof must be filed with and become a part of the record of such certificate proceedings before the commission. All such landowners shall be entitled to be heard and to participate in such certificate proceedings.