In order to promote the more efficient use and distribution of natural gas or electric energy and eliminate the necessity for construction of transmission facilities for gas or electricity produced by a private energy producer separate from those which may already exist to serve the same area and are owned and operated by a public utility subject to the jurisdiction and control of the Public Utilities Commission, the commission shall authorize the construction of an interconnection by a private energy producer upon application of such producer if the commission makes the findings required by Sections 2812 and 2812.5. The commission shall render its
decision on any application filed pursuant to this chapter within 180 days of receipt of the application or at such later time as may be mutually agreed upon by the commission, the applicant, and the interconnecting public utility.