Section 16-46 - Dissolution or termination of public service company. Cessation of public service operations(a) No public service company shall cease operations as a public service company, dissolve or terminate its corporate existence without the consent of the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority, except a water company, as defined in section 16-262n, shall not cease its operations, or unilaterally discontinue the provision of water service to customers without the consent of both the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority and the Department of Public Health. Upon receipt of a request from a water company to cease its operations or discontinue the provision of water service, the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority, in conjunction with the Department of Public Health, shall hold a public hearing and issue a final decision setting forth the actions the water company shall take to ensure a continuous supply of potable water at adequate volume and pressures, in accordance with the procedures and criteria set forth in sections 16-262n to 16-262q, inclusive.(b) Any public service company may, with such consent, or in the case of a water company, as defined in section 16-262n, for which a decision has been issued pursuant to section 16-262o, such water company shall, dissolve and terminate its corporate existence in the manner provided for dissolution and termination by such company's charter or certificate of incorporation, provided, if such charter or certificate requires stockholder approval, such approval shall be by not less than two-thirds of the voting power of the shares entitled to vote thereon. If there is no provision for dissolution and termination in such charter or certificate, such company may, with the consent of the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority, or in the case of a water company, the consent of both the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority and the Department of Public Health, dissolve and terminate its corporate existence in any manner provided in part XIV of chapter 601 in the case of a company organized with capital stock or part XI of chapter 602 in the case of a company organized without capital stock. Such dissolution and termination shall take effect upon (1) for a corporation, the filing with the Secretary of the State of a certificate of dissolution, and (2) for an unincorporated entity, the filing of a certificate of dissolution with the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority and the Department of Public Health. In the event of such cessation, dissolution or termination, all claims and rights of creditors shall constitute liens upon the property and franchises of the company and shall continue in existence as long as may be necessary to preserve the same.(1949 Rev., S. 5437; P.A. 75-486, S. 1, 69; P.A. 77-484; 77-614, S. 162, 610; P.A. 80-482, S. 79, 348; P.A. 95-118, S. 3; 95-257, S. 12, 21, 58; P.A. 96-256, S. 183, 209; 96-271, S. 160, 254; P.A. 06-196, S. 201; P.A. 11-80, S. 1.)