(a) The Virgin Islands Energy Office shall establish an interagency advisory committee consisting of representatives from:
(1) government agencies and instrumentalities, including the University of the Virgin Islands;
(2) The Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority;
(3) The private sector; and
(4) environmental, energy, and consumer groups and other energy-related organizations.
(b) The Committee shall provide input on energy programs and related matters. The Committee shall:
(1) assist and advise the Director on matters relating to the development and use of solar energy and other renewable energy resources, including recommendations for the utilization or disbursements of federal and territorial funds for solar purposes;
(2) encourage efforts by research institutions, government institutions and home builders in obtaining technical and financial support from the federal government for their activities in solar and advanced alternate energy systems;
(3) identify and describe the renewable energy technologies that are feasible and practical in terms of short-term application of retrofit, new construction and conservation projects within five years;
(4) identify and describe long-range programs that are feasible and cost effective;
(5) encourage the cooperation and direct involvement of academic, business, professional and industrial sectors that are determined to have special expertise or knowledge of solar energy technology;
(6) make recommendations to the Director on standards, codes, certifications and other programs necessary for the orderly and rapid commercialization and growth of renewable energy use in the Virgin Islands for consideration by the appropriate jurisdictional bodies;
(7) assist the Director with organizing workshops and conferences, and recommend policies, standards, strategies, plans, programs, and procedures with regard to functions of the office of energy; and
(8) provide such other assistance as the Director may request or the law may provide.
(c) The heads of all agencies, including those that are not represented on the Committee, shall cooperate with and furnish information to the Committee as required or requested.