(1) The department may:
(a) Employ staff and counsel as needed in the performance of its duties.
(b) Prosecute and defend legal actions in its own name.
(c) Form advisory groups consisting of members of the public to provide information on specific issues.
(2) The department shall:
(a) Administer the Florida Renewable Energy and Energy-Efficient Technologies Grants Program pursuant to s. 377.804 to assure a robust grant portfolio.
(b) Develop policy for requiring grantees to provide royalty-sharing or licensing agreements with state government for commercialized products developed under a state grant.
(c) Administer the Florida Green Government Grants Act pursuant to s. 377.808 and set annual priorities for grants.
(d) Administer the information gathering and reporting functions pursuant to ss. 377.601-377.608.
(e) Administer the provisions of the Florida Energy and Climate Protection Act pursuant to ss. 377.801-377.804.
(f) Advocate for energy and climate change issues and provide educational outreach and technical assistance in cooperation with the state’s academic institutions.
(g) Be a party in the proceedings to adopt goals and submit comments to the Public Service Commission pursuant to s. 366.82.
(h) Adopt rules pursuant to chapter 120 in order to implement all powers and duties described in this section.
History.—s. 46, ch. 2008-227; s. 54, ch. 2009-82; s. 10, ch. 2011-3; s. 505, ch. 2011-142; s. 3, ch. 2014-154; s. 33, ch. 2015-2.