CHAPTER 1. General Provisions and Definitions [80000. - 80016.]

Cal. Water Code - WAT 1.

in effect

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 80000. Section 80000.

The Legislature hereby finds and declares all of the following: (a) The furnishing of reliable reasonably priced electric service is essential for the safety, health, and well-being of the people of California. A number of factors have resulted in a rapid, unforeseen shortage of electric power and energy available in the state and rapid and substantial increases in wholesale energy costs and retail energy rates, with statewide impact, to such a degree that it constitutes an immediate peril to the health, safety, life and property of the inhabitants of the state, and the public interest, welfare, convenience and necessity require the state to participate in markets for the purchase and sale of power and energy. (b) In order for the department to adequately and expeditiously undertake and administer the critical responsibilities established in this division, it must be able to obtain, in a timely manner, additional and sufficient personnel with the requisite expertise and experience in energy marketing, energy scheduling, and accounting.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 80002. Section 80002.

Nothing in this division shall be construed to reduce or modify any electrical corporation’s obligation to serve. The commission shall issue orders it determines are necessary to carry out this section. Nothing in this section shall be construed to obligate the department for any procurement cost obligations of any electrical corporation that may have existed as of the effective date of this section.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 80002.5. Section 80002.5.

It is the intent of the Legislature that power acquired by the department under this division shall be sold to all retail end use customers being served by electrical corporations, and may be sold, to the extent practicable, as determined by the department, to those local publicly owned electric utilities requesting such power. Power sold by the department to retail end use customers shall be allocated pro rata among all classes of customers to the extent practicable.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 80003. Section 80003.

(a) The development and operation of a program as provided in this division is in all respects for the welfare and the benefit of the people of the state, to protect the public peace, health, and safety, and constitutes an essential governmental purpose. (b) This division shall be construed in a manner so as to effectuate the purposes and objectives thereof.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 80004. Section 80004.

(a) The powers and responsibilities of the department established under this division are within the scope of the primary duties of the department, but are not governed by the provisions relating to the State Water Resources Development System. (b) The Department of Water Resources Electric Purchases Fund, established by Section 80200, and the money in that fund are separate and distinct from any other fund and money administered by the department.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 80010. Section 80010.

As used in this division, unless the context otherwise requires, the following terms have the following meanings: (a) “Bonds” means bonds, notes, or other evidences of indebtedness issued solely for the purposes of paying the cost of electric power and transmission, scheduling, and other related expenses incurred by the department on and after the effective date of this division, or to reimburse expenditures from the fund for those purposes; repaying to the General Fund any advances made to the department from appropriations made to the fund pursuant hereto or hereafter for purposes of this division, any advances made to the department from the Water Resources Electric Power Fund, and General Fund moneys expended by the department pursuant to the Governor’s Emergency Proclamation dated January 17, 2001; establishing or maintaining reserves in connection with the bonds; costs of issuance of bonds or incidental to their payment or security; capitalized interest; or to renew or refund any bonds. (b) “Commission” means the Public Utilities Commission. (c) “Electrical corporation” has the same meaning as that term is defined in Section 218 of the Public Utilities Code. (d) “Fund” means the Department of Water Resources Electric Power Fund established by Section 80200. (e) “Local publicly owned electric utility” includes the entities defined in subdivision (d) of Section 9604 of the Public Utilities Code and publicly owned utilities that provide electricity. (f) “Power” means electric power and energy, including, but not limited to, capacity and output, or any of them. (g) “Public utility” has the same meaning as that term is defined in Section 216 of the Public Utilities Code.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 80012. Section 80012.

The department shall do those things necessary and authorized under Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 80100) to make power available directly or indirectly to electric consumers in California. Except as otherwise stated, nothing in this division authorizes the department to take ownership of the transmission, generation, or distribution assets of any electrical corporation in this state.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 80014. Section 80014.

(a) The department and commission may adopt regulations for purposes of this division as emergency regulations in accordance with Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code. For purposes of that Chapter 3.5, including Section 11349.6 of the Government Code, the adoption of the regulations shall be considered by the Office of Administrative Law to be necessary for the immediate preservations of the public peace, health and safety, and general welfare. Notwithstanding subdivision (e) of Section 11346.1 of the Government Code, the regulations shall be repealed 180 days after their effective date, unless the adopting authority or agency complies with that Chapter 3.5, as provided in subdivision (e) of Section 11346.1 of the Government Code. (b) Unless the department determines that application of any such provision to such contracts is detrimental to accomplishing the purposes of this division, the provisions of the Government Code and Public Contract Code applicable to state contracts, including, but not limited to, advertising and competitive bidding requirements and prompt payment requirements, apply to contracts entered into under this division.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 80016. Section 80016.

All state agencies and other official state organizations, and all persons connected therewith, shall and are hereby authorized to, at the request of the department, give the department reasonable assistance or other cooperation in carrying out the purposes of this division.

Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026