(a) There is hereby established the Governor's Energy Advisory Council.
(b) The Governor's Energy Advisory Council shall monitor Delaware's energy system, identify and propose actions to enhance Delaware's energy system and provide counsel to the Governor on promoting an economic, reliable and competitive energy market for all Delaware consumers.
(c) The Governor's Energy Advisory Council shall be assigned the following responsibilities:
(1) Developing implementation plans for recommendations from the 2003 “Delaware Energy Task Force Report to the Governor” and tracking ongoing implementation efforts.
(2) Spearheading the updating of the Delaware Energy Plan every 5 years from date of enactment. The updating process shall include a process for public input and measures for progress in attaining goals identified in the plans.
(3) Monitoring federal, state and regional energy issues, identifying the impacts on Delaware and recommending actions to the Governor in response to identified issues.
(4) Other duties as referred by the Governor.
(d) The Governor's Energy Advisory Council shall be composed of 16 members as follows:
(1) A Chair to be appointed by the Governor for a term of 3 years and who shall be eligible for re-appointment for terms of 3 years.
(2) Chair of the Cabinet Committee on Energy.
(3) Chair of the Public Service Commission.
(4) The Public Advocate.
(5) Chair of the Weatherization Assistance Program Policy Advisory Council.
(6) Nine members who shall be appointed by the Governor representing, to the extent possible, the following constituencies:
electricity transmission; electricity distribution; electricity generation; agriculture and/or agribusiness; municipal utilities; renewable energy; innovative energy technology; transportation fuels and environmental interests. These members shall be appointed by the Governor as follows:a. Three members shall be appointed for 3-year terms;
b. Three members shall be appointed for initial 2-year terms;
c. Three members shall be appointed for initial 1-year terms;
d. Thereafter, appointees shall serve for 3-year terms.
(7) The Secretaries of Transportation, Natural Resources and Environmental Control, and Agriculture shall serve as ex-officio members.
(e) An appointment, pursuant to this section, to replace a member whose position becomes vacant prior to the expiration of the member's term shall be filled only for the remainder of that term. Members shall continue to serve after the expiration of their terms until they resign, are reappointed or replaced.
(f) Members of the Advisory Council shall serve without compensation, except that they may be reimbursed for reasonable and necessary expenses incident to their duties as members in accordance with state law.