P.R. Laws tit. 3A, § IX
In addition to the powers and duties inherent to said office and conferred by law, the Secretary of the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources shall be responsible for the general direction of the Department and its components, the integral planning of said sector and the coordination and supervision of operation of the dependencies that compose it.
For the effective execution of his/her powers, functions and responsibilities, the Secretary may transfer or delegate the functions of directing or administering the operation of the entities that compose the Department directly on the officials in charge of directing the same, retaining for him/herself the powers and functions regarding norms, public policy, supervision and evaluation.
The Secretary of Natural and Environmental Resources shall collaborate with the Governor of Puerto Rico in his function of directing and supervising the bodies that compose the natural and environmental resources sector. The Secretary shall receive and execute the powers, duties and functions that the Governor entrusts or delegates to him/her and shall act in his representation in the exercise thereof.
The Secretary shall also have the following faculties, functions and powers among others:
(1) Offer continuous advice to the Governor and the Legislature on everything that is related to his/her area of responsibility, in the formulation of public policy for the natural resources, environmental and energy sectors.
(2) Implement public policy in an integral and coordinated manner in what is germane, as well as recommend, develop and implement the public policy on energy for Puerto Rico.
(3) Coordinate, supervise and evaluate the operations of the entire Department and its components.
(4) Study the problems related to the natural, energy and environmental resources sectors.
(5) Develop and implement plans, measures and programs to deal with said problems.
(6) Conduct and foster scientific and technological research on natural, energy and environmental resources, among them, marine resources, alternate sources of energy through the use of renewable resources, solid waste disposal, tropical resources and others.
(7) Evaluate the annual work plans, prepare the budget and supervise the use of fiscal and human resources and equipment.
(8) Administer and exercise normative and regulatory functions for the entire Department and its components.
(9) Administer the personnel system pursuant to Act No. 5 of October 14, 1975, as amended, known as the “Public Service Personnel Act of Puerto Rico”.
(10) Establish and develop the internal organization of the Department, pursuant to §§ 101 et seq. of Title 23.
(11) Establish agreements and pacts with the agencies of the United States Government and request and administer federal funds for Departmental purposes.
(12) Create boards, committees, councils or advisory committees with citizen participation.