Nothing in RCW 43.21A.610 through 43.21A.642 shall authorize or empower the director to purchase or acquire any transmission or distribution system or facilities or to engage in the retail distribution of electric energy, or to purchase or acquire any operating hydroelectric generating plant owned by any city or district, or by a privately owned public utility, or which hereafter may be acquired by any city or district by condemnation.
RCW 43.21A.642