(1) There is
hereby created at the Colorado school of mines the Colorado energy research
institute, which shall be referred to in this section as the institute. It is the intent
of this section that the institute serve as a mechanism for the development of
energy and energy-related minerals research programs, including programs at
single state or private educational or research institutions and multidisciplinary,
interuniversity, government-university, and industry-university energy and energy-related minerals research programs and projects. It is the further intent of this
section that the institute provide the mechanism for enhancing the development
and promotion of energy and energy-related minerals education programs in the
state.
(2) The principal administrative officer of the institute shall be the president
of the Colorado school of mines, and budgetary and fiscal procedures and activities
of the institute shall be under the supervision of the Colorado school of mines.
(3) It is the duty of the institute to:
(a) Maintain liaison with the state to identify the important regional energy
and energy-related minerals problems, including their relationship to the use of the
waters of the state;
(b) Solicit and determine, through inquiry of and consultation with the
executive and legislative branches of the state government and with local
governments, the needs of the said branches and governments for energy data and
background information relating to the determination of state policy and actions in
relation to energy shortages, planning, and long-range options, and to collect,
maintain, and provide such data and background material;
(c) Promote the development of energy and energy-related minerals
research programs and projects in single or multiple disciplines at state and private
educational and research institutions;
(d) Administer a phase-out program of energy grants to enrolled
undergraduates within the higher education system;
(e) Develop and promote energy and energy-related minerals education
programs in the state;
(f) Administer programs of public education in energy development,
utilization, and conservation, which shall include, but shall not be limited to, energy
status reports, sponsorship of symposia, demonstration programs, and reports on
research results;
(g) Contract for and to accept any gifts or grants or loans or funds or
property or financial or other aid in any form from the United States or any agency
or instrumentality thereof, or from the state or any executive or legislative agency
thereof, or from any other source and to comply, subject to the provisions of this
article, with the terms and conditions thereof, and to have the authority to expend
such funds.
(h) Repealed.
(4) The institute shall conduct:
(a) Regular, mutual consultations about its progress in meeting the goals set
forth in this section with the department of natural resources; and
(b) The following specific research and educational programs designed to
meet the information needs of the department of natural resources, other agencies
of the state's executive branch, the legislature, and the public:
(I) (A) The collection of primary data on the economic impact of energy
industries, emphasizing oil and gas, on municipalities and counties; the
establishment of an energy economics database to be housed and maintained in the
Colorado school of mines division of economics and business and the establishment
of internet access to such database; the development of reliable means of
forecasting by the institute's program in energy economics; and support for the
analysis, interpretation, and periodic publication of the findings of the economic
analysis.
(B) For the purposes authorized by this subsection (4)(b)(I), up to five
hundred thousand dollars of the unencumbered balance available in the energy and
carbon management cash fund created in section 34-60-122 (5) may be expended.
(II) (A) The development of research in those sectors of geoscience and
engineering that are most critical to the formation of renewable energy and
continued enhanced production of natural gas and oil from Rocky Mountain
reservoirs, including production optimization and resource distribution and
synergies with renewable resources.
(B) For the purpose authorized by this subsection (4)(b)(II), up to one million
dollars of the unencumbered balance available in the energy and carbon
management cash fund created in section 34-60-122 (5) may be expended.
(C) Of the amount specified in subsection (4)(b)(II)(B) of this section: Five
hundred thousand dollars may be expended in the state fiscal year beginning July 1,
2005; and five hundred thousand dollars may be expended in the state fiscal year
beginning July 1, 2006, if an estimate made on or about May 1, 2006, of the
projected unencumbered balance that will be available in the energy and carbon
management cash fund on July 1, 2006, exceeds two and one-half million dollars.
(III) (A) To inform the public, legislative and regulatory bodies, and working
professionals about new technologies and their relationship to traditional sources
of energy to promote the public's understanding of how its everyday energy needs
are met.
(B) For the purpose authorized by this subsection (4)(b)(III), up to three
hundred seventy-five thousand dollars of the unencumbered balance available in
the energy and carbon management cash fund created in section 34-60-122 (5)
may be expended.
(C) Of the amount specified in subsection (4)(b)(III)(B) of this section: One
hundred seventy-five thousand dollars may be expended in the state fiscal year
beginning July 1, 2005; and two hundred thousand dollars may be expended in the
state fiscal year beginning July 1, 2006, if an estimate made on or about May 1,
2006, of the projected unencumbered balance that will be available in the energy
and carbon management cash fund on July 1, 2006, exceeds two and one-half
million dollars.
(IV) (A) To facilitate economic development by funding local community
colleges, colleges, area technical colleges, and vocational schools in regions where
energy development is occurring and by providing grants for job training and
education resources to advance knowledge and skill development that goes
beyond basic research and helps attract, educate, and train people for employment.
(B) For the purpose authorized by this subsection (4)(b)(IV), up to one million
dollars of the unencumbered balance available in the energy and carbon
management cash fund created in section 34-60-122 (5) may be expended.
(C) Of the amount specified in subsection (4)(b)(IV)(B) of this section: Five
hundred thousand dollars may be expended in the state fiscal year beginning July 1,
2005; and five hundred thousand dollars may be expended in the state fiscal year
beginning July 1, 2006, if an estimate made on or about May 1, 2006, of the
projected unencumbered balance that will be available in the energy and carbon
management cash fund on July 1, 2006, exceeds two and one-half million dollars.
(V) (A) To pay the membership dues of the energy council referred to in
section 2-3-311 (2)(b), C.R.S.
(B) For the purpose authorized by this subsection (4)(b)(V)(B), up to fifty-six
thousand dollars of the unencumbered balance available in the energy and carbon
management cash fund created in section 34-60-122 (5) may be expended.
(VI) (A) To provide grants for the development of a central resource for
building trade professionals, including contractors, engineers, architects, and
designers, for the purpose of increasing available tools and education to advance
energy-efficient design and construction.
(B) For the purpose authorized by this subsection (4)(b)(VI), up to one
hundred twenty-five thousand dollars of the unencumbered balance available in the
energy and carbon management cash fund created in section 34-60-122 (5) may be
expended.
(C) Of the amount specified in subsection (4)(b)(VI)(B) of this section:
Seventy-five thousand dollars may be expended in the state fiscal year beginning
July 1, 2005; and fifty thousand dollars may be expended in the state fiscal year
beginning July 1, 2006, if an estimate made on or about May 1, 2006, of the
projected unencumbered balance that will be available in the energy and carbon
management cash fund on July 1, 2006, exceeds two and one-half million dollars.