[§277-2]  Authorization.  The departmentof transportation shall establish, maintain, operate, manage and control energycorridors throughout the State for the purpose of maximizing the utilization oflands available for use in connection with transporting by pipeline or othermeans, sources of energy including but not limited to oil, its derivatives andnatural gas; provided that the utilization of such energy corridors shall bepermissive and not mandatory. [L 1970, c 33, §2]