§201-12.5  Renewable energy facilitator;establishment; duties.  (a)  There is established within the department ofbusiness, economic development, and tourism the position of renewable energyfacilitator, which shall be a full-time, temporary position exempt fromchapters 76 and 89.  The renewable energy facilitator shall possess a requisitelevel of knowledge and expertise in the areas of renewable energy, state andcounty permitting processes, and management necessary to carry out the dutiesof the position.

(b)  The renewable energy facilitator shallhave the following duties:

(1)  Facilitate the efficient permitting of renewableenergy projects, including:

(A)  The land parcel on which the facility issituated;

(B)  Any renewable energy production structureor equipment;

(C)  Any energy transmission line from thefacility to a public utility's electricity system; and

(D)  Any on-site infrastructure necessary forthe production of electricity or biofuel from the renewable energy site;

(2)  Initiate the implementation of key renewableenergy projects by permitting various efficiency improvement strategiesidentified by the department;

(3)  Administer the day-to-day coordination forrenewable energy projects on behalf of the department and the day-to-dayoperations of the renewable energy facility siting process established inchapter 201N; and

(4)  Submit periodic reports to the legislature onrenewable energy facilitation activities and the progress of the renewableenergy facility siting process.

(c)  The renewable energy facilitator positionshall be funded by the energy security special fund. [L 2008, c 208, §2; am L2009, c 155, §6]