Tennessee § 4-3-510 - Office of energy programs — General powers.

§ 4-3-510. Office of energy programs — General powers.

The office of energy programs has the duty and responsibility to: Promote research, development, recruitment and investments in conservation and renewable technology business (e.g., businesses that are labor intensive, environmentally sound, energy conserving and compatible with the development of a statewide energy program), with the recognition that a commitment to energy efficiency and development of renewable resources promotes economic growth and job creation; Provide incentives for energy conservation and renewable technologies development; Provide informational and educational programs for local governmental units and the general public, including the operation of a toll-free energy hotline; Administer federal energy programs to include, but not be limited to, an energy extension service and a state energy conservation plan. Promote state and local energy emergency preparedness in coordination with other appropriate state agencies, such as the military department; Establish a working liaison with the Tennessee Valley authority and other energy-related nonprofit organizations; Provide technical assistance to state businesses experiencing financial difficulty due to escalating energy costs; Maintain a record of businesses lost to the state or that have gone out of business due to escalating energy costs; and Prepare an annual report on the activities of the office of energy programs, including information on conservation, energy management, renewable industry investments and recruitments, and energy savings goals set and realized by the programs administered by the office of energy programs; The report shall be submitted to the governor, the speakers of the senate and house of representatives, and the chair of the senate and house of representatives committees on government operations, energy, and conservation, or their successor committees. Acts 1983, ch. 429, § 7; 2000, ch. 561, § 3; 2009, ch. 105, § 1; 2009, ch. 106, § 7; 2016, ch. 743, §§ 2, 11; T.C.A. § 4-3-708 . Compiler's Notes. Former § 4-3-708 was transferred to this section by Acts 2016, ch. 743, § 11, effective April 7, 2016. Amendments. The 2016 amendment substituted “office of energy programs” for “energy division” in the introductory language, and in (9)(A) substituted “office of energy programs” for “division” twice. Effective Dates. Acts 2016, ch. 743, § 18. April 7, 2016.