Article 7. Powers of California Public Utilities Code >> Division 1. >> Part 4. >> Chapter 1. >> Article 7.

An association may engage in any activity in connection with the selling, transporting, or storing of gas which is produced and delivered to it by its members; in any activity in connection with the purchase, hiring, or use by its members of supplies, machinery, or equipment directly related to the production, transmission, storage, or marketing of gas, or in the financing of any of these activities; or in any one or more of the activities which are specified in this section.

An association may borrow without limitation as to amount of corporate indebtedness or liability and may make advances to members.

An association may act as the agent or representative of any member in any of the activites specified in Section 3171 or 3172.

An association may purchase or otherwise acquire, hold, own, and exercise all rights of ownership in, sell, transfer, pledge, or guarantee the payment of dividends or interest on, or the retirement or redemption of, shares of the capital stock or bonds of any corporation or association which is engaged in the production of gas or any related activity.

An association may establish reserves and invest the funds of the reserves in bonds or in any other property as may be provided in the bylaws.

An association may buy, hold, and exercise all privileges of ownership of real or personal property as may be necessary or convenient for the conduct and operation of, or incidental to, any business of the association. Without limiting the foregoing, an association may acquire a real property easement from a public utility for the purpose of accommodating the association's gas plant, and the easement shall be deemed to be held for a public purpose by the association, provided that the commission finds that the use by the association is in the public interest.

An association may levy assessments in the manner and in the amount as may be provided in its bylaws.

An association may do all of the following:
  (a) Do each and every thing which is necessary, suitable, or proper for the accomplishment of any of the purposes, or the attainment of any of the objects, specified in this chapter, or conducive to or expedient for the interest or benefit of the association, and contract accordingly.
  (b) Exercise and possess all powers, rights, and privileges which are necessary or incidental to the purposes for which the association is organized or to the activities in which it is engaged.
  (c) Have any other rights, powers, and privileges which are granted by the laws of this state to other corporations, except those which are inconsistent with this chapter.

An association may organize, form, operate, own, control, and have an interest in, own stock of, or be a member of any other corporation, with or without capital stock, which is engaged in producing, transporting, or selling of gas.

An association may, upon resolution adopted by its board of directors, enter into all necessary and proper contracts and agreements and make all necessary and proper stipulations, agreements, contracts, and arrangements with any other cooperative or other corporation or association, which is formed in this or in any other state, for the cooperative and more economical carrying on of its business or any part of its business. Any two or more associations may, by agreement between them, unite in employing and using, or may separately employ and use, the same personnel, methods, means, and agencies for carrying on and conducting their respective business.