§37-14-37. Provision of retail electric service in violation of article.

(a) If an electric supplier commences construction of facilities in violation of the provisions of this article, any aggrieved electric supplier which is designated herein as the entity to provide such service (the "aggrieved electric supplier") may petition the circuit court for the judicial circuit in which the facilities are being constructed by the offending electric supplier for an injunction to prevent the offending electric supplier from completing the facilities for provision of the retail electric service in question.

(b) If an electric supplier believes that another electric supplier has already rendered or extended electric service at retail to a premise which was designated to be served by the aggrieved electric supplier, the aggrieved electric supplier shall give notice in writing to the offending electric supplier of the potential violation of this article. The offending electric supplier shall have 45 days to determine whether it is in violation of this article. If the offending electric supplier concludes that it is violating this article, it may cease rendering and extending electric service at retail to the premises in question at the time and upon the schedule designated in writing by the aggrieved electric supplier and the offending electric supplier shall have no liability to the aggrieved electric supplier for violation of this article. If the offending electric supplier does not cease rendering service and remove its distribution facilities within the 45 day period or within such longer period designated by the aggrieved electric supplier, the aggrieved electric supplier may file suit in the circuit court for the judicial circuit in which the rendition or extension occurs to enjoin the offending electric supplier from continuing such rendition or extension and for damages. If a violation of this article is proved, the offending electric supplier shall (1) remove its facilities constructed for the rendition of retail electric service to the premises at the time and upon the schedule designated in writing by the aggrieved electric supplier; and (2) pay to the aggrieved electric supplier 25 percent of the gross revenues derived by the offending electric supplier from the sale of electric service in violation of this article from and after the date that is 45 days after the date on which the notice of violation was given. In addition, the offending electric supplier shall reimburse the aggrieved electric supplier for all witness fees, court costs, reasonable attorney fees and other expenses incurred in any litigation to enforce the aggrieved electric supplier's rights under this article. If the violation is not proved, the aggrieved electric supplier shall reimburse the offending electric supplier for all witness fees, court costs, reasonable attorneys fees and other costs incurred in the litigation. All actions or proceedings for injunction or for damages shall be brought within three years after the offending electric supplier first renders or extends electric service at retail in violation of this article.

(Acts 1985, No. 85-645, p. 983, §8.)