469.3 - DIRECTOR OF OFFICE OF ENERGY INDEPENDENCE.
469.3 DIRECTOR OF OFFICE OF ENERGY INDEPENDENCE. 1. A director of the office of energy independence shall be appointed by the governor, subject to confirmation by the senate, and shall serve at the pleasure of the governor. The governor shall fill a vacancy in the office in the same manner as the original appointment was made. The director shall be selected primarily for administrative ability and knowledge concerning renewable energy, renewable fuels, and energy efficiency. The salary of the director shall be fixed by the governor. 2. The director shall do all of the following: a. Direct the office of energy independence. b. Coordinate the administration of the Iowa power fund. c. Lead outreach and public education efforts concerning renewable energy, renewable fuels, and energy efficiency. d. Pursue new research and investment funds from federal and private sources. e. Coordinate and monitor all existing state and federal renewable energy, renewable fuels, and energy efficiency grants, programs, and policy. f. Advise the governor and general assembly concerning renewable energy, renewable fuels, and energy efficiency policy and legislation. g. Establish performance measures for determining effectiveness of renewable energy, renewable fuels, and energy efficiency efforts. h. Contract for and utilize assistance from the department of economic development regarding administration of grants, loans, and other financial incentives related to section 469.9, subsection 4, paragraph "a", subparagraph (1), the department of natural resources and the utilities board regarding assistance in the administration of grants, loans, and other financial incentives related to section 469.9, subsection 4, paragraph "a", subparagraph (2), and other state agencies as appropriate. i. Develop an Iowa energy independence plan pursuant to section 469.4. j. Assist Iowa businesses in creating jobs involving energy efficiency and renewable energy, especially through the use of funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, Pub. L. No. 111-5, and other state and federal funds available to the office and the board. k. Approve engineering firms for performance of comprehensive engineering analyses done on buildings in which a state agency seeks to improve energy efficiency pursuant to section 7D.34. l. Develop standards and methods to evaluate design development and construction documents based on life cycle cost factors in relation to design proposals submitted pursuant to section 72.5. m. Coordinate with other state agencies regarding implementation of the office of renewable fuels and coproducts pursuant to section 159A.3, serve on the renewable fuels and coproducts advisory committee, and assist in providing technical assistance to new or existing renewable fuel production facilities. n. Appoint a representative to serve on the Iowa energy center advisory council established in section 266.39C. o. Make available energy efficiency related continuing education courses pursuant to section 272C.2. p. Receive results relating to energy audits from school districts and perform related functions pursuant to section 279.44. q. Determine whether special hardship criteria has been demonstrated regarding franchise alternative fuel purchases pursuant to section 323A.2. r. Consult with the state building code commissioner regarding submissions of life cycle cost analyses pursuant to section 470.7. s. Compile energy-related information, administer and coordinate the state building energy management program, and perform additional responsibilities specified in section 473.7. t. Transmit by resolution to the governor a determination of actual or impending acute usable energy shortage pursuant to section 473.8. u. Operate a liquid fossil fuel set-aside program as required in section 473.10. v. Administer the building energy management program, the building energy management fund, and the energy loan program established in sections 473.19, 473.19A, and 473.20, respectively, and ensure compliance with energy audit and engineering analysis requirements specified in section 473.13A. w. Coordinate the energy city designation program created in section 473.41. x. Submit an annual report to the governor and general assembly by November 1 of each year concerning the activities and programs of the office, Iowa power fund, and other departments related to renewable energy, renewable fuels, and energy efficiency. The report shall include an assessment of needs with respect to renewable energy, renewable fuels, and energy efficiency efforts and policy and fiscal recommendations for renewable energy, renewable fuels, and energy efficiency. In addition, the director shall review issues relating to the transportation of biofuels and explore leading and participating in multistate efforts relating to renewable energy and energy efficiency. y. Adopt rules pursuant to chapter 17A concerning the office, the Iowa power fund, and the programs and functions of the office and the fund.
Section History: Recent Form 2007 Acts, ch 168, §3, 18; 2009 Acts, ch 108, §18, 41 Confirmation, see §2.32