(1) If a corporation under s. 196.91 (1) desires to purchase or acquire any property under s. 196.91, the corporation shall apply to the commission for a certificate of public convenience and necessity. The application shall state: (a) The name of any owner of the property sought to be acquired. (b) The business in connection with which it is desired to utilize the property. (c) The specific public purpose for which it is proposed to use the property. (d) The compensation or price to be paid for the property. (e) A statement to the effect that the corporation agrees to cancel all contracts for the sale of hydroelectric power outside this state, if the commission finds that the contract interferes with adequate service and reasonable rates to the people of this state. (f) Any other information the commission requires. (2) If the commission receives an application under sub. (1), the commission shall fix a convenient time and place for a public hearing on the application. The time may not be more than 8 weeks from the date of filing the application. The commission shall give notice of the time and place to the applicant. Prior to the hearing the applicant shall publish the time and place as a class 3 notice, under ch. 985. Not less than 20 days prior to that date, the applicant shall serve notice of the hearing upon any owner of the property personally, or by registered mail, if the post-office address of the owner, by due diligence, can be ascertained. Proof of the publication and service of the notice shall be filed with the commission. (3) (a) At a hearing under this section or any adjournment of the hearing, the commission shall consider the application and shall receive the evidence offered by the applicant and any other person for or against the application. (b) The commission may issue a certificate that public convenience and necessity require the utilization of the property as proposed by the applicant if the commission finds that: 1. The acquisition and use of the property in connection with the business of the applicant for the purpose or purposes and at the price or compensation set forth in the application would be a public convenience; 2. The applicant possesses the financial ability to utilize the property for its proposed purpose; and 3. Public necessity requires the proposed acquisition and use. (c) Section 196.91 shall not apply to the acquisition of flowage rights necessary for the improvement or development of dams or dam sites previously acquired.
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