2006 Code of Virginia § 30-189 - Powers and duties of Commission

30-189. Powers and duties of Commission.

A. The Commission shall generally study all aspects of coal as an energyresource and endeavor to stimulate, encourage, promote, and assist in thedevelopment of renewable and alternative energy resources other thanpetroleum. The Commission shall have no authority to adopt regulations. Allagencies of the Commonwealth shall assist the Commission in its work. Inaddition to the aforementioned general powers, the Commission shall alsoperform the following functions:

1. Act in an advisory capacity to the Governor and executive branch agenciesupon energy related matters;

2. Investigate and consider such questions and problems relating to the fieldof coal and energy utilization and alternative energy sources as may besubmitted;

3. Make recommendations to the Governor and General Assembly on its owninitiative;

4. Consult with applicable state agencies on all matters regarding energyconservation, including the promotion and implementation of initiatives forthe public-at-large to conserve energy;

5. Endeavor to encourage research designed to further new and more extensiveuse of the coal as well as alternative and renewable energy resources of theCommonwealth;

6. Effectively disseminate any such proposals to groups and organizations,both state and local, so as to stimulate local governing bodies and privatebusiness initiative in the field of energy related matters;

7. Coordinate its efforts with those of the Virginia Solar Energy Centerestablished pursuant to 45.1-391 and the Virginia Center for Coal andEnergy Research established pursuant to Article 2.01 ( 23-135.7:1 et seq.)of Chapter 11 of Title 23;

8. Actively seek federal and other funds to be used to carry out itsfunctions;

9. Seek to establish alternative fuel capability within the Commonwealth; and

10. Investigate and make recommendations regarding the development of nuclearpower. The Commission shall periodically address (i) encouraging thereprocessing of spent fuel for reuse, (ii) incentives to encourage the studyof nuclear engineering at state colleges and universities, (iii) the storageof nuclear waste, (iv) the transportation of nuclear waste, (v) securityneeds of nuclear power plants, and (vi) on-site temporary storage facilitiesfor spent nuclear fuel.

B. The Commission shall report its findings and recommendations to theGeneral Assembly and the Governor on an annual basis. The Chairman of theCommission shall submit to the General Assembly and the Governor an annualexecutive summary of the interim activity and work of the Commission no laterthan the first day of each regular session of the General Assembly. Theexecutive summary shall be submitted as provided in the procedures of theDivision of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislativedocuments and reports and shall be posted on the General Assembly's website.

(1979, c. 330, 9-145.1, 9-145.4; 1980, c. 214; 2001, c. 844; 2002, c. 559;2004, c. 1000.)