Section 54-17.7-04 - PowersThe authority has all powers necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter, including the power to:
1. Make grants or loans and to provide other forms of financial assistance as necessary or appropriate for the purposes of this chapter.2. Make and execute contracts and all other instruments necessary or convenient for the performance of the authority's powers and functions.3. Acquire, purchase, hold, use, lease, license, sell, transfer, and dispose of an undivided or other interest in or the right to capacity in any pipeline system or systems, including interconnection of pipeline systems, within or without the state of North Dakota in order to facilitate the production, transportation, distribution, or delivery of energy-related commodities produced in North Dakota. If the authority acquires, purchases, holds, uses, or leases capacity positions, the authority shall sell, transfer, release, or dispose of the capacity positions at intervals that are no more frequent than monthly and in an amount that is equal to or greater than the market rate, but only if the sale, transfer, release, or disposal of the capacity positions is sufficient to cover the expenses and obligations incurred. The authority's contract obligations for the capacity positions are limited to the capacity rates, charges, and terms.4. Borrow money and issue evidences of indebtedness as provided in this chapter, including borrowing from the Bank of North Dakota.a. The authority may borrow up to sixty million dollars through a line of credit from the Bank. The interest rate on the line of credit must be the prevailing interest rate charged to North Dakota governmental entities.b. The line of credit must be guaranteed by reserves under section 6-09.7-05.c. The line of credit may be used to support activities under subsection 3.d. The authority shall repay the line of credit from amounts available. If the amounts available on June 30, 2027, are not sufficient to repay the line of credit, the authority shall notify the director of the office of management and budget, and the director of the office of management and budget shall transfer funds from the strategic investment and improvements fund to the Bank for the repayment pursuant to section 6-09.7-05 based on the amount certified by the Bank.5. Receive and accept aid, grants, or contributions of money or other things of value from any source, including aid, grants, or contributions from any department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States, subject to the conditions upon which the aid, grants, or contributions are made and consistent with the provisions of this chapter.6. Issue and sell evidences of indebtedness in an amount or amounts as the authority may determine, but not to exceed eight hundred million dollars, plus costs of issuance, credit enhancement, and any reserve funds required by agreements with or for the benefit of holders of the evidences of indebtedness for the purposes for which the authority is created under this chapter, provided that the amount of any refinancing shall not be counted toward such eight hundred million dollar limitation to the extent it does not exceed the outstanding amount of the obligations being refinanced.7. Refund and refinance its evidences of indebtedness.8. Make and execute interest rate exchange contracts.9. Enter lease-sale contracts.10. Pledge any and all revenues derived by the authority under this chapter or from a pipeline facility, service, or activity funded under this chapter to secure payment or redemption of the evidences of indebtedness.11. To the extent and for the period of time necessary for the accomplishment of the purposes for which the authority was created plan, finance, develop, acquire, own in whole or in part, lease, rent, and dispose of pipeline facilities.12. Enter contracts to construct, maintain, and operate pipeline facilities.13. Consult with the public service commission, regional organizations, and any other relevant state or federal authority or persons as necessary and establish reasonable fees, rates, tariffs, or other charges for pipeline facilities and all services rendered by the authority.14. Lease, rent, and dispose of pipeline facilities owned pursuant to this chapter.15. Investigate, plan, prioritize, and propose corridors for the transport of energy-related commodities.16. Make and execute contracts and all other instruments necessary or convenient for the performance of the authority's powers and functions with other state pipeline authorities.17. Cooperate with and participate in joint projects, research projects, and other activities with other state pipeline authorities and participate in and join regional pipeline organizations.18. Do any and all things necessary or expedient for the purposes of the authority provided in this chapter.Amended by S.L. 2023, ch. 14 (HB 1014),§ 22, eff. 7/1/2023.Amended by S.L. 2023, ch. 14 (HB 1014),§ 21, eff. 7/1/2023.