(a) No person shall construct or operate in intrastate commerce within this state any pipeline or distribution system, or any extension thereof, for the transportation, distribution, or sale of natural or manufactured gas without first obtaining from the commission a certificate that the public convenience and necessity require such construction or operation. In addition, no person shall sell natural or manufactured gas from such pipeline or acquire ownership or control of such pipeline or distribution system, whether directly or indirectly, without obtaining from the commission a certificate of public convenience and necessity.

(b) This article shall not be construed to require any gas distribution system to secure a certificate for an extension within any municipality within which such gas distribution system has lawfully commenced operations prior to February 17, 1956, or for an extension within or to territory already served by such gas distribution system, which extension is necessary in the ordinary course of business, or for substitute facilities within or to any municipality or territory already served by such gas distribution system, or for an extension into territory contiguous to that already served by such gas distribution system and not receiving similar service from another such person if no certificate of public convenience and necessity has been issued to or applied for by any other person covering such territory.

(c) As to distribution and sales in intrastate commerce, all gas pipeline systems shall be subject to the regulation and jurisdiction of the commission in all respects, including, but not limited to, rates, charges, rules, regulations, service, financing, accounts, and such other matters involving a privately owned gas public utility distribution system as are subject to the regulation or jurisdiction of the commission.