70-628.02.

Joint exercise of powers with municipalities and public agencies; authority.

The Legislature declares that it is in the public interest of the State of Nebraska that public power districts and public power and irrigation districts be empowered to participate jointly or in cooperation with municipalities and other public agencies in the establishment and operation of facilities for the generation or transmission of electric power and energy located within or outside this state, for the production, storage, and distribution of hydrogen located within this state, or for the production and distribution of ethanol located within this state in order to achieve economies and efficiencies in meeting the future energy needs of the people of the State of Nebraska. In furtherance of such need and in addition to but not in substitution for any other powers granted such districts, each such district shall have and may exercise its power and authority to plan, finance, acquire, construct, own, operate, maintain, and improve electric generation or transmission facilities located within or outside this state, hydrogen production, storage, or distribution facilities located within this state, or ethanol production or distribution facilities within this state jointly and in cooperation with one or more other such districts, cities, or villages of this state which own or operate electrical facilities or municipal corporations or other governmental entities of other states which own or operate electrical facilities. The powers granted under this section may be exercised with respect to any electric generation or transmission facility, hydrogen production, storage, or distribution facility, or ethanol production or distribution facility jointly with the powers granted under any other provision of sections 18-412.07 to 18-412.09 and 70-628.02 to 70-628.04.