(a)      With respect to the net capital costs associated with the relocation underground of utility lines and facilities in connection with projects required by Article 66B, § 8.16 of the Code, the Commission shall:

            (1)      set the amount of the monthly surcharge required to support the costs and determine which customers of the applicable utility are subject to the surcharge;

            (2)      include in the rate base the related net capital costs; or

            (3)      adopt another method to apportion the costs appropriately.

      (b)      A utility may not be required to pay more than 50% of the net capital costs of a relocation project.

      (c)      A county or municipal corporation may appropriate money for a relocation project from appropriate federal, State, and local funds it receives for this purpose.