23-0311 - New York state oil, gas and solution mining advisory board.
§ 23-0311. New York state oil, gas and solution mining advisory board. 1. A thirteen member New York state oil, gas and solution mining advisory board shall be created within the department to advise and assist the commissioner and other state agencies on activities and policies related to the development, operation and regulation of the oil, gas and solution mining industry. The members shall be appointed by the governor, with a majority representative of the respective industries. Three of the members shall be appointed upon recommendation of the majority leader of the senate and three of the members shall be appointed upon recommendation of the speaker of the assembly. Appointments shall be made for three-year terms. Members shall continue in office until their successors have been appointed and qualified. The governor shall select a chair from among the members. The board shall meet at least twice yearly and the members shall receive reimbursement for expenses. The department shall provide the board with secretarial services. 2. The chair of the public service commission, the president of the New York state energy research and development authority, the state geologist, and the commissioner shall serve the board in an ex-officio capacity. 3. The commissioner shall seek the views of the board on matters within their scope of concern and shall specifically request the board's participation at an early developmental stage of any new rules, regulations and policies being contemplated or developed. In addition to such other duties as the commissioner may suggest or the board on its own volition may choose to undertake, the board shall: a. Review and comment on the criteria to be used by the department in selecting abandoned wells for plugging or replugging. b. Review and comment on proposed rules and regulations and department activities affecting the industry. c. Recommend to the governor, the commissioner, and other state agencies program directions or modifications related to the development, operation, and regulation of the oil, gas, and solution mining industry.