(a) The City of Burlington is hereby authorized and empowered to construct, maintain, and operate a plant for the generation and distribution of manufactured gas and may furnish such gas within and without the corporate limits of the City to corporations and individuals for domestic and other purposes upon such terms as are provided by law or may be lawfully agreed upon between the contracting parties, subject to the jurisdiction of the Public Service Commission.

(b) For the purpose of acquiring, holding, maintaining, and operating such gas plant and distribution system for the distribution and sale of manufactured gas to corporations and individuals within and without the City limits, said City is also authorized and empowered to purchase, hold, maintain, and operate any existing gas plant, gas distribution system, rights-of-way, and franchises held and used in connection therewith, and the gas business of any corporation or individual owned and operated in connection with such plant, and the goodwill of such business, or any part of such plant, distribution system, franchises, rights-of-way, business, and goodwill.

(c) Said City may from time to time enlarge and improve such plant and distribution system as the growth and development of the business, in the judgment of the City Council, may require, and for that purpose may from time to time either construct such enlargements and improvements or purchase the same when available.