SDCL § 10-35-2 — Operating property assessed by department

All property, real and personal, belonging to or held under lease or otherwise by any light or power company, heating company, water company, or gas company as the same is defined in § 10-35-1 and used by it exclusively in the operation of its line or lines in this state, except such as is held under lease and used in such manner as to make it taxable to the owner under the general property tax laws, shall be assessed annually for taxation by the Department of Revenue, and not otherwise.