Preference to Cooperatives.
Section 44
SEC. 44. Preference to Cooperatives. — Whenever two or more public service entities are affected by and have competing or conflicting interests with respect to the granting repeal, alteration or conditioning of the same franchise or franchises, and one or more of such entities are cooperatives, the NEA shall accord preference to a cooperative over any other type of public service entity (and shall prefer one cooperative over another) unless and except to the extent that an order in favor of another type of public service entity (or of another cooperative) will, as found by the NEA, result both earlier and ultimately in the furnishing and extending of area coverage service (1) to a greater number of households (2) over a larger geographic area, and (3) on the basis of the same or lower rates charges and fees.