This chapter shall be applicable only to such cities, towns and village districts as on January 1, 1975, met the definition of "municipality" as defined in RSA 374-B:1, III, and to such additional cities, towns or village districts as begin after that date to engage in the generation and sale or the purchase and sale of electricity or the transmission thereof, for ultimate consumption by the public, under RSA 38, RSA 52, or any special laws and which comply with the following:
I. Such an additional city, town or village district shall first acquire or establish a plant for the manufacture or distribution of electricity only after the commission, after notice and opportunity for hearing, shall have found that there is a public need for such acquisition or establishment and that the terms thereof are in the public interest; andII. The determinations of the commission required under RSA 38:9 or RSA 38:10 have been made not more than 12 months following the initial vote taken under RSA 38:3, RSA 38:4 or RSA 38:5, except that this provision shall not apply to any vote taken prior to June 24, 1975.1975, 501:1. 1997, 206:5, eff. July 1, 1997.