Section 57-39-9 - General powers and duties of divisionThe powers and duties of the division shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
(a) To promote Mississippi as a leader in energy development, job creation and research.(b) To contribute to economic development activities related to the energy production and manufacturing sectors.(c) To promote energy efficiency across state government and within the private sector and other sectors, so that the state can realize the monetary and environmental benefits of energy efficiency.(d) To prepare, when necessary, a Mississippi Energy Plan and a State Energy Management Plan as hereinafter set forth.(e) To develop policies and long-term strategic plans for the State of Mississippi to accomplish the duties hereinafter set forth.(f) To collect, maintain and provide analysis of data related to energy consumption, production and natural resources pertinent to the development of more energy opportunities within the state.(g) To promote the development, manufacturing and use of renewable technologies, processes and products in the state.(h) To serve as the State Energy Office for the State of Mississippi and fulfill requirements of the State Energy Office as mandated by the federal government or the Governor.(i) To prepare implementation programs in accordance with the requirements of the plan.(j) Upon request, to accept, receive and receipt for federal monies and other monies, either public or private, for and in behalf of this state. Upon request of any political subdivision of the state, to accept, receive and receipt for any designated purpose, federal monies and other monies, either public or private, for and in behalf of any such political subdivision.(k) To confer with or to hold joint hearings with any agency of the United States in connection with any matter arising under this chapter, or relating to the sound development of energy utilization.(l) To perform such acts, make, promulgate and amend such reasonable general or special rules, regulations and procedures as it shall deem necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter and to perform its duties hereunder. No rules, regulations or procedures prescribed by the board shall be inconsistent with, or contrary to, any acts of the Congress of the United States or any regulations promulgated pursuant thereto, or to this chapter or any other statutes of the State of Mississippi.(m) To enter into contracts, grants and cooperative agreements with any federal or state agency, department or subdivision thereof, or any public or private institution located inside or outside the State of Mississippi, or any person, corporation or association in connection with carrying out the provisions of this chapter, provided the agreements do not have a financial cost in excess of the amounts appropriated for such purposes by the Legislature.(n) As required by the federal government or as directed by the Governor of the State of Mississippi, to establish a state program to administer the State Petroleum Set-Aside Program and to provide assistance in obtaining adjustments specified in orders issued by the Federal Energy Office.Laws, 1980, ch. 548, § 5; Laws, 1989, ch. 544, § 55; Laws, 1992, ch. 496, § 40, eff. 7/1/1992.Amended by Laws, 2013, ch. 538, HB 1296, 3, eff. 7/1/2013.