(a) The Department of Public Service, in addition to the powers conferred upon it by sections 211 and 212 of this title and notwithstanding any limitations on that authority imposed by those sections or by any other law of this State, is authorized to purchase from any source and to distribute and sell at retail without unjust discrimination, electrical energy directly to all consumers of electricity in Vermont, under the provisions of this section and sections 212b-212f of this title.

(b) The Department may continue to purchase, sell, and distribute electric capacity and energy at retail pursuant to contracts or arrangements that existed under the terms of this section prior to changes effected by 1987, No. 65. Any purchase, sale, and distribution of electricity by the Department to replace or exceed amounts sold at retail by the Department on May 28, 1987 shall be subject to the provisions of this section and sections 212b-212f as added or amended by 1987, No. 65. (Added 1985, No. 20, eff. April 23, 1985; amended 1987, No. 65, § 3, eff. May 28, 1987.)