48:9-21.Ā  Manner of laying pipes
Every gas company organized under the laws of this State shall lay its mainĀ  or distributing gas pipes at the greatest practicable distance from any pipe ofĀ  any other company and at a horizontal distance of 1 foot at least from theĀ  nearest part of any such pipe, unless it shall be unavoidably necessary to layĀ  the gas pipe across or nearer to any other pipe, in which case the gas pipeĀ  shall be laid at the greatest practicable distance therefrom, and shall formĀ  therewith a right angle, or as near thereto as the situation will admit.

In no case shall any pipe be laid or apparatus used that will interfere in any way either with the present or future supply pipes of any company, or that may interfere with or increase the expense of replacing, removing or repairing the supply pipes or apparatus of any company.

All gas companies which were in operation on April 21, 1876, shall have theĀ  same rights and privileges of laying their mains and pipes, and making andĀ  supplying gas, that their respective charters and contracts then gave them.

Amended by L.1962, c. 198, s. 101;Ā  L.1973, c. 349, s. 2, eff. Dec. 27, 1973.