Opinion ID: 2632475
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Express powers

Text: ¶ 15 City utilities derive their powers from RCW 35.92.050. That enabling statute expressly authorizes cities to: (1) operate works or plants for the purpose of furnishing persons with electricity or power-related facilities, (2) regulate and control the use, distribution, and price of the electricity or facilities furnished, (3) handle, sell, or lease equipment needed for the use, distribution, and sale of electricity, and (4) buy power to resell to city residents and businesses. RCW 35.92.050. [3] The statute does not specifically authorize city utilities to pay other entities to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. In fact, Seattle did not argue that its emission reduction program is expressly authorized. Accordingly, in the absence of such an express power, we must next analyze whether authority for the program is necessarily or fairly implied in or incident to the powers expressly granted by the legislature.