RCW 43.52.391
Powers and duties of operating agency.
Except as otherwise provided in this section, a joint operating agency shall have all powers now or hereafter granted public utility districts under the laws of this state. It shall not acquire nor operate any electric distribution properties nor condemn any properties owned by a public utility which are operated for the generation and transmission of electric power and energy or are being developed for such purposes with due diligence under a valid license or permit, nor purchase or acquire any operating hydroelectric generating plant owned by any city or district on June 11, 1953, or which may be acquired by any city or district by condemnation on or after January 1, 1957, nor levy taxes, issue general obligation bonds, or create subdistricts. It may enter into any contracts, leases or other undertakings deemed necessary or proper and acquire by purchase or condemnation any real or personal property used or useful for its corporate purposes. Actions in eminent domain may be instituted in the superior court of any county in which any of the property sought to be condemned is located and the court in any such action shall have jurisdiction to condemn property wherever located within the state; otherwise such actions shall be governed by the same procedure as now or hereafter provided by law for public utility districts. An operating agency may sell steam or water not required by it for the generation of power and may construct or acquire any facilities it deems necessary for that purpose.
An operating agency may make contracts for any term relating to the purchase, sale, interchange or wheeling of power with the government of the United States or any agency thereof and with any municipal corporation or public utility, within or without the state, and may purchase or deliver power anywhere pursuant to any such contract. An operating agency may acquire any coal-bearing lands for the purpose of assuring a long-term, adequate supply of coal to supply its needs, both actual and prospective, for the generation of power and may make such contracts with respect to the extraction, sale or disposal of coal that it deems proper.
Any member of an operating agency may advance or contribute funds to an agency as may be agreed upon by the agency and the member, and the agency shall repay such advances or contributions from proceeds of revenue bonds, from operating revenues or from any other funds of the agency, together with interest not to exceed the maximum specified in RCW 43.52.395(1). The legislative body of any member may authorize and make such advances or contributions to an operating agency to assist in a plan for termination of a project or projects, whether or not such member is a participant in such project or projects. Any member who makes such advances or contributions for terminating a project or projects in which it is not a participant shall not assume any liability for any debts or obligations related to the terminated project or projects on account of such advance or contribution.
[ 1982 c 1 § 1; 1977 ex.s. c 184 § 8; 1965 c 8 § 43.52.391. Prior: 1957 c 295 § 5.]
NOTES:
Severability—1982 c 1: "If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected." [ 1982 c 1 § 3.]
Liability to other taxing districts for increased financial burdens: Chapter 54.36 RCW.
Structure Revised Code of Washington
Title 43 - State Government—Executive
Chapter 43.52 - Operating Agencies.
43.52.260 - Scope of authority.
43.52.272 - Power commission abolished.
43.52.300 - Powers and duties of an operating agency.
43.52.3411 - Revenue bonds or warrants.
43.52.343 - Revenue bonds or warrants—Sale by negotiation or advertisement and bid.
43.52.350 - Operating agencies to provide fishways, facilities and hatcheries—Contracts.
43.52.375 - Treasurer—Auditor—Powers and duties—Official bonds—Funds.
43.52.380 - Member's preference to buy energy—Apportionment—Surplus.
43.52.383 - Compliance with open public meetings act.
43.52.385 - Best interest of ratepayers to determine interest of agency.
43.52.391 - Powers and duties of operating agency.
43.52.395 - Maximum interest rate operating agency may pay member.
43.52.410 - Authority of city or district to contract for electric energy or falling waters.
43.52.430 - Appeals from director of department of ecology.
43.52.440 - Effect of chapter on "Columbia River Sanctuary Act."
43.52.460 - Operating agency to pay in lieu of taxes.
43.52.470 - Operating agency—Validity of organization and existence.
43.52.515 - Application of Titles 9 and 9A RCW.
43.52.520 - Security force—Authorized.
43.52.525 - Security force—Criminal history record information.
43.52.535 - Security force—Membership in retirement system authorized.
43.52.560 - Contracts for materials or work required—Sealed bids.
43.52.570 - Purchase of materials by telephone or written quotation authorized—Procedure.
43.52.575 - Purchase of materials without competition authorized.
43.52.580 - Emergency purchase of materials or work by contract.
43.52.585 - Procedures for implementing RCW 43.52.560 through 43.52.580.
43.52.590 - Construction of RCW 43.52.560 through 43.52.585.
43.52.595 - Contracts for electric power and energy.