Upon application of a private energy producer, and after notice to any affected public utility and hearing thereon, the commission shall authorize such producer to construct an interconnection for the purpose of transporting natural gas, if the commission finds: (1)that such interconnection is in the public interest and for the general public benefit, (2)involves natural gas located within this state in the service area of the public utility, ultimately consumed within this state, and which would otherwise be undeveloped because a public utility is unable or unwilling to purchase it at a price the commission finds to be
reasonable, (3)would not cause energy which would likely otherwise be made available to the general public to be diverted to the private energy producer, and (4)that the energy has substantially the equivalent quality and characteristics as the energy in the utility’s transmission system with which the interconnection would be made. The commission shall prescribe such reasonable terms, conditions, and requirements as it deems appropriate.