No public utility henceforth shall exercise any right or privilege under any franchise or certificate hereafter granted, or under any franchise or certificate heretofore granted, the exercise of which has been suspended or discontinued for more than one year, without first obtaining from the commission a certificate that public convenience and necessity require the exercise of such right or privilege.
49-03.1-07. Replacement or renewal of franchise - Certificate of public convenience and necessity not necessary. No public utility need secure a renewal certificate of public convenience and necessity under this chapter in order to exercise rights under a franchise hereafter granted where it has not suspended operation of its plant and where such franchise merely replaces or renews an expiring or expired franchise.