Authority to construct, operate, etc., electric system; purchase of electricity.
Memphis Charter, art. 65, § 677
in effectSec. 677. - Authority to construct, operate, etc., electric system; purchase of electricity.
The said board of Light, Gas and Water Commissioners shall have the power and authority to construct, purchase, improve, operate and maintain, within the corporate limits of the City of Memphis or elsewhere within the limits of Shelby County, an electric plant or system, including without limitation, power plants, transmission lines, substations, feeders, primary and secondary distribution lines, including turbines, engines, pumps, boilers, generators, converters, switchboards, transformers, poles, conduits, wires, cables, lamps, fixtures, accessory apparatus, buildings and lands, right-of-way and easements, and all other appurtenances usual to such plants for the purpose of furnishing electric power and energy for lighting, heating, power or any other purpose for which electric power or energy can be used; provided no such electric plant or system shall be operated within the limits of any incorporated municipality, outside the corporate limits of the City of Memphis, without the consent of the governing body of such incorporated municipality.
Said board of Light, Gas and Water Commissioners shall have the power and authority to purchase electric current from the Tennessee Valley Authority or from any other person, firm or corporation as in the judgment of said board of Light, Gas and Water Commissioners shall be proper or expedient, and to make any and all contracts necessary and incident to carry out this purpose and to change, alter, renew or discontinue any contracts entered into by them at any time, provided, that the said board of Light, Gas and Water Commissioners shall not enter into any contract for the purchase of electricity for a period longer than five years, unless said contract shall have first been approved by the Board of Commissioners of said City of Memphis.
(Priv. Acts 1939, ch. 381, § 3)
Source: City of Memphis, Code of Ordinances and Charter and Related Laws (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/tn/memphis/codes/charter?nodeId=PTICHRELA_ART65LIGAWADI_S677AUCOOPETELSYPUELFetched: 10/28/2026