Whenever upon hearing, after due notice, the commission has found that public convenience and necessity require the use by one public utility of the conduits, subways, tracks, wires, poles, pipes, or other equipment, or any part thereof, on, over, or under any street or highway and belonging to another public utility and that such use will not result in irreparable injury to the owner or other users of such conduits, subways, tracks, wires, poles, pipes, or other equipment, nor any substantial detriment to the service, and that such public utilities have failed to agree upon such use or the terms and conditions or compensation for the same, the
commission, by order, may direct that such use be permitted, and may prescribe reasonable compensation and reasonable terms and conditions for such joint use. If such use is directed, the public utility to which the use is permitted shall be liable to the owner or other users of such conduits, tracks, wires, poles, pipes, or other equipment for such damage as may result therefrom to the property of such owner or other users thereof.
49-02-05.1. Power to fix terms by which the facilities of one utility may cross those of another utility. Whenever public convenience and necessity requires that an electric or telecommunications distribution or transmission line, pipeline, or railroad track of any public utility cross a line or track of another public utility and the public utilities have failed to agree upon the terms and conditions or compensation for the same, the commission, after notice and hearing, may prescribe reasonable terms, conditions, and compensation under which the crossing shall be permitted.
49-02-06. Entering premises of public utility by public service commission for examination purposes. The commission and its officers and employees shall have the power to enter upon any premises occupied by any public utility for the purpose of: 1. Making examinations and tests; 2. Setting out and using on said premises any weights or appliances necessary therefor; or 3. Exercising any of the powers provided for in this chapter.