(a) There is hereby established the State Energy Office within the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, Office of the Secretary.
(b) The Director of the Division of Energy and Climate is the administrator and head of the State Energy Office and is the State Energy Coordinator, who shall:
(1) Be qualified by training or experience to perform the duties of the Office; and
(2) Perform such functions in the administration of the State Energy Office as the Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control may from time to time require.
(c) The State Energy Office shall:
(1) Act as a central repository and clearinghouse for collection and dissemination of data and information on energy resources and energy matters in the State, including but not limited to:
a. Data on energy supply, demand, costs, projections and forecasts;
b. Inventory data on energy research and development projects, studies, or other programs conducted in the State under public or private supervision or sponsorship, and the results thereof; and
c. The environmental impacts of energy generation and use and the means of reducing those impacts through alternative fuels, innovative energy technologies, conservation or other means.
(2) Coordinate with other state and federal agencies including the Delaware Public Service Commission, the Office of State Planning and Coordination, the Office of Management and Budget, the Delaware Emergency Management Agency, and the Department of Agriculture in carrying out its duties under this subchapter;
(3) Recommend legislative or other initiatives to the Secretary, and hence to the Governor and General Assembly, that will enable or assist the State, its instrumentalities, or private citizens, to secure federal funds made available to states and individuals to support energy conservation programs and initiatives, whatever form those funds take;
(4) Provide for a program of energy audits of facilities owned by instrumentalities of the State in cooperation with designated representatives of said facilities;
(5) Provide for the training and certification of energy auditors to conduct energy audits as may be necessary and proper to carry out the purposes and policies of this subchapter, or any other energy-related law applicable to this State;
(6) Assist the Division of Facilities Management in developing the state facilities energy management plan as required in § 8806(c) of Title 29 [repealed]; and
(7) Facilitate the development of a comprehensive State Energy Plan designed to protect the health, safety and welfare of the citizens and economy of the State and which shall include, but not be limited to:
a. Encouraging and promoting conservation of energy through reducing wasteful, uneconomical or inefficient uses of energy;
b. Encouraging and promoting the use of renewable electric generation facilities and alternate energy technologies by residential and commercial consumers; and
c. Encouraging and promoting such other energy efficiencies and conservation goals, methods, standards, training, programs and policies that are consistent with the intent of this subchapter, especially those directed toward improving end-use efficiency among the State's energy consumers.