(a) Rules and Regulations. The board shall have the power and duty to make and enforce all necessary rules and regulations governing the construction, maintenance, operation, connection to and use of the Water and Power Assets for Departmental Purposes.
(b) Rates and Charges. The board shall have the power and duty to:
(1) regulate and control the use, sale and distribution of water, reclaimed water, surplus water, electric energy and surplus electric energy owned or controlled by the City;
(2) grant permits for connections with the water or electric works of the City and fix the charges for these connections;
(3) fix the rates to be charged for water, reclaimed water, surplus water, electric energy or surplus electric energy for use inside or outside the City in accordance with Section 676; and
(4) prescribe the time and the manner of payment for the collection of the rates and charges for water and electric energy.
(c) Development of the Water and Power Assets. The board shall have the power and duty to acquire, provide for, construct, extend, maintain and operate all improvements, utilities, structures, facilities and services as it may deem necessary or convenient for Departmental Purposes.
(d) Real Estate Interests.
(1) The board shall have the power and duty to acquire and take, by purchase, lease, condemnation or otherwise, in the name of the City, any and all property, real or personal, or any interest therein, situated inside or outside the City or State of California, that may be necessary or convenient for Departmental Purposes. The power of condemnation shall only be exercised with the approval of Council.
(2) Subject to the water and water rights of the City set forth in Section 673, no real property or any rights or interests in real property held by the board shall be sold, leased or otherwise disposed of, or in any manner withdrawn from its control, unless by written instrument authorized by the board, and approved by the Council.
(e) Incidental Authority. The board also shall also have the power to:
(1) enter into agreements with department customers to engage in co-generation projects;
(2) finance the sale and use of systems, equipment, devices or materials designed to conserve the use of water or electric energy;
(3) purchase, sell or exchange by-products of electrical power generation such as steam, hot water, chilled water or other thermal energy products;
(4) advertise its products and services to increase any of its businesses; and
(5) dispose, from time to time, of personal property, that is no longer necessary or suitable for the use of the Department.