37-5-504. Powers of the authority. (Note: this is effective as of 7/1/2020.)

(a) The authority may:

(i) Employ officers, agents and employees as it deems necessary for the performance of its duties and prescribe the powers and duties and fix the compensation of the officers, agents and employees;

(ii) Contract, upon terms as it may agree upon, for legal, financial, engineering and other professional services necessary or expedient in the conduct of its affairs;

(iii) Utilize the services of executive agencies of the state upon mutually agreeable terms and conditions;

(iv) Plan, finance, construct, develop, acquire, own, maintain and operate within and outside the state of Wyoming, energy transmission infrastructure, energy export facilities and pipeline and other transportation or distribution systems including pumps, storage and other attendant facilities, any necessary equipment for energy transmission infrastructure and pipeline and other transportation or distribution systems and for all other property, structures, equipment, facilities and works of public improvement necessary or useful for accomplishing the purposes for which the authority was created, including obtaining permits and acquiring rights-of-way;

(v) Acquire by condemnation any properties necessary or useful for its purposes, provided the authority shall not have the right to condemn mineral leases, gas supplies, gas reserves, oil supplies, oil reserves, oil refineries, existing energy transmission, distribution and generation facilities, minerals, water rights, other mineral rights or pipelines or other distribution systems used in connection therewith;

(vi) Receive by gift, grant, donation or otherwise, any sum of money, aid or assistance from the United States, the state of Wyoming, any political subdivision or any other public or private entity;

(vii) Provide light, water, communications, security and other services for its facilities as it deems advisable;

(viii) After consultation with any relevant state or federal authority, establish and charge reasonable fees, rates, tariffs or other charges for the use of all facilities administered by the authority and for all services rendered by it;

(ix) In whole or in part, operate, lease, rent and dispose of facilities, structures and properties constructed under this article. The authority shall review at least every three (3) years the feasibility of disposing of facilities it holds;

(x) Investigate, plan, prioritize and establish corridors for the transmission of energy and natural resources associated with energy;

(xi) Enter into partnerships with public or private entities;

(xii) Conduct hearings and gather and develop relevant data consistent with the duties and powers of the authority;

(xiii) Work in consultation and coordination with entities including the Wyoming business council to develop, promote and identify markets for natural resources associated with energy and facilitate supply for those markets;

(xiv) Advocate for or against any energy project before any regulatory body tasked with the oversight of the project;

(xv) Do any and all things necessary or proper for the development, regulation and accomplishment of the purposes of the authority within the limitations of authority granted by this article.

(b) The sole recourse of any party contracting with the authority shall be against the authority, and there shall be no cause of action against the state or any county, municipality or other political subdivision of the state.