The state mineral lease commission is authorized and empowered to contract for the construction and/or laying and operation of a suitable state-owned pipe line or lines for the transportation of any state-owned natural gas and/or oil for use by the state-owned buildings and/or institutions as fuel or other purposes, whenever said commission shall determine that the same will be for the best interest of the state and/or any of its buildings or institutions. Said commission shall construct and lay any such state-owned pipe line mentioned in this section where practicable in, under, and along any street, alley, sidewalk, road, or other public property, and where necessary may exercise the right of eminent domain for sufficient right of way and/or easement in, under, and along private property in the manner provided by law for the exercise of the right of eminent domain by the state in other cases.