Powers and PurposesPower Generation

Section § 35570

Explanation
This law allows a water district to use its water resources to generate hydroelectric power. The district can build, maintain, and operate power plants and transmission lines as long as these activities align with their water storage and distribution needs. Funding for these projects can come from bonds or other financing options available to the district.
A district may, by using any water or water supplies furnished to the district or used by the district, construct, maintain, and operate plants for the generation of hydroelectric power from that water and transmission lines for the conveyance thereof. The plants so constructed shall be operated in a manner consistent with the district’s storage, transmission, and distribution of water.
Construction of the plants and transmission lines may be financed by the issuance of general obligation bonds or revenue bonds or any other method of financing district works as provided in this division.
water district hydroelectric power power generation ...

Section § 35571

Explanation

This law section allows a water district to collaborate with other districts involved in water distribution. They can either work together directly or form agreements with agencies created for such collaborations.

A district may join with any other district engaged in distributing water in exercising the powers set forth in this chapter, or may execute joint power agreements with any agency formed for that purpose.
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Section § 35572

Explanation

This law allows hydroelectric plants and transmission lines built under this chapter to either be leased out for operation or sell the electricity generated to public utilities or agencies that handle electricity distribution and sales.

The electricity can also be used by the district for their own water-related operations but can't be sold directly to individual customers, except for these entities, and only for water production or transmission purposes.

The hydroelectric plant and transmission lines constructed pursuant to this chapter may be leased for operation to, or the power generated may be sold to, a public utility or public agency engaged in the distribution, use, or sale of electricity.
The power generated may be used by the district for its own purposes, or for the production or transmission of water, but shall not be offered for sale directly by the district to customers, other than a public utility or public agency, for any use other than the production or transmission of water.
hydroelectric plant transmission lines lease for operation ...

Section § 35573

Explanation

This law states that the powers given by this chapter do not allow anyone to take over property or facilities that are already used for generating hydroelectric energy unless the current owner and operator agree to it.

The powers granted by this chapter shall not include, and nothing in this chapter shall be construed to permit, the acquisition of property or facilities already employed in the generation of hydroelectric energy, except by mutual agreement with the owner and operator of the property or facilities.
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