Section 301:53 Powers.
An association incorporated under the provisions of this section shall have the following powers:
   I. To generate, manufacture, purchase, acquire, accumulate, and transmit electric energy, and to distribute, sell, supply and dispose of electric energy to its members, to governmental agencies and political subdivisions, and to other persons, but no person shall become a member unless such person shall agree to use electric energy furnished by the cooperative when such electric energy shall be available through its facilities, and membership shall cease if such person shall fail or refuse to use electric energy made available by the cooperative or if electric energy shall not be made available by the cooperative within a specified time after such person shall have become a member; provided, however, that such service shall be rendered only to persons residing on premises not receiving central station service on June 16, 1939, and to such other persons as the public service commission may find upon petition and after notice and hearing, that it is in the public interest that such association should render such service; and provided, further, that the provisions of RSA 301:7 with respect to qualifications of members shall not apply to members of a cooperative association organized under this paragraph.
   II. To make loans to persons to whom electric energy is or will be supplied by the cooperative for the purpose of, and otherwise assist such persons in, wiring their premises and installing therein electric and plumbing fixtures, appliances, apparatus, and equipment of any and all kinds and character, and in connection therewith, to purchase, acquire, lease, sell, distribute, install, and repair such electric and plumbing fixtures, appliances, apparatus, and equipment, and to accept or otherwise acquire, and to sell, assign, transfer, endorse, pledge, hypothecate, and otherwise dispose of notes, bonds, and other evidences of indebtedness, and any and all types of security therefor.
   III. To construct, purchase, take, receive, lease as lessee, or otherwise acquire, and to own, hold, use, equip, maintain, and operate, and to sell, assign, transfer, convey, exchange, lease as lessor, mortgage, pledge, or otherwise dispose of or encumber, electric transmission and distribution lines or systems, electric generating plants, lands, buildings, structures, dams, plants and equipment, and any and all kinds and classes of real or personal property whatsoever, which shall be deemed necessary, convenient, or appropriate to accomplish the purpose for which the cooperative is organized.
   IV. To purchase or otherwise acquire, and to own, hold, use and exercise and to sell, assign, transfer, convey, mortgage, pledge, hypothecate, or otherwise dispose of or encumber, franchises, rights, privileges, licenses, rights of way, and easements.
   V. To borrow money and otherwise contract indebtedness, and to issue notes, bonds, and other evidences of indebtedness therefor, and to secure the payment thereof by mortgage, pledge, deed of trust, or any other encumbrance upon any or all of its then owned or after-acquired real or personal property, assets, franchises, revenues, or income.
   VI. To construct, maintain and operate electric transmission and distribution lines along, upon, under and across all public thoroughfares, including without limitation, all roads, highways, streets, alleys, bridges, and causeways, and upon, under, and across all publicly owned lands, subject, however, to the requirements in respect to the use of such thoroughfares and lands that are imposed by the respective authorities having jurisdiction thereof upon corporations constructing or operating electric transmission and distribution lines or systems.
   VII. To exercise the power of eminent domain in the manner provided in RSA 371 for the exercise of that power by corporations constructing or operating electric transmission and distribution lines or systems.
   VIII. To do and perform any and all other acts and things, and to have and exercise any and all other powers which may be necessary, convenient or appropriate to accomplish the purpose for which the cooperative is organized.
Source. 1939, 212:1. RL 273:52. RSA 301:53. 1967, 99:1, eff. July 8, 1967.