The Director shall:

1. Acquire and analyze information relating to energy and to the supply, demand and conservation of its sources, including, without limitation:

(a) Information relating to the Solar Energy Systems Incentive Program created pursuant to NRS 701B.240 and the Wind Energy Systems Demonstration Program created pursuant to 701B.580, including, without limitation, information relating to:

(1) The development of distributed generation systems in this State pursuant to participation in the Solar Energy Systems Incentive Program;

(2) The use of carbon-based energy in residential and commercial applications due to participation in the Programs; and

(3) The average cost of generation on a kilowatt-hour basis for residential and commercial applications due to participation in the Programs; and

(b) Information relating to any money distributed pursuant to NRS 702.270.

2. Review and evaluate information which identifies trends and permits forecasting of the energy available to the State. Such forecasts must include estimates on:

(a) The level of demand for energy in the State for 5-, 10- and 20-year periods;

(b) The amount of energy available to meet each level of demand;

(c) The probable implications of the forecast on the demand and supply of energy; and

(d) The sources of renewable energy and other alternative sources of energy which are available and their possible effects.

3. Study means of reducing wasteful, inefficient, unnecessary or uneconomical uses of energy and encourage the maximum utilization of existing sources of energy in the State.

4. Solicit and serve as the point of contact for grants and other money from the Federal Government, including, without limitation, any grants and other money available pursuant to any program administered by the United States Department of Energy, and other sources:

(a) To promote energy projects that enhance the economic development of the State;

(b) To promote the use of renewable energy in this State;

(c) To promote the use of measures which conserve or reduce the demand for energy or which result in more efficient use of energy;

(d) To develop a comprehensive program for retrofitting public buildings in this State with energy efficiency measures; and

(e) If the Director determines that it is feasible and cost-effective, to enter into contracts with researchers from the Nevada System of Higher Education for the design of energy efficiency and retrofit projects to carry out the comprehensive program for retrofitting public buildings in this State developed pursuant to paragraph (d).

5. Coordinate the activities and programs of the Office of Energy with the activities and programs of the Consumer’s Advocate and the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada, and with other federal, state and local officers and agencies that promote, fund, administer or operate activities and programs related to the use of renewable energy and the use of measures which conserve or reduce the demand for energy or which result in more efficient use of energy.

6. If requested to make a determination pursuant to NRS 111.239 or 278.0208, make the determination within 30 days after receiving the request. If the Director needs additional information to make the determination, the Director may request the information from the person making the request for a determination. Within 15 days after receiving the additional information, the Director shall make a determination on the request.

7. Cooperate with the Department of Wildlife in carrying out the provisions of NRS 701.600 to 701.640, inclusive.

8. Upon request by a developer of an energy development project or a local government in a county in which an energy development project is proposed to be located, coordinate discussions, not otherwise required by any existing regulatory agency, with interested parties concerning any potential effect of the energy development project.

9. Carry out all other directives concerning energy that are prescribed by the Governor.

(Added to NRS by 1977, 1164; A 1983, 2093; 2001, 3264; 2009, 1371, 1596; 2011, 93, 2057, 2550, 2563; 2013, 3347, 3815)