A. The Oklahoma Low Carbon Energy Initiative shall be administered and governed by the Oklahoma Low Carbon Energy Initiative Board, made up of representatives of the contributing institutions and entities of the Initiative which shall include but not be limited to the University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma State University, and the University of Tulsa. Additional contributing members may be added at the discretion of the Board, if they contribute to the purpose, objectives, and research coordinated by the Initiative. B. The Board shall consist of thirteen (13) members as follows: 1. One member, who shall serve as the chair of the Board, shall be the Secretary of Energy and Environment or a member otherwise appointed by the Governor; 2. One member shall be the Vice President for Research from the University of Oklahoma or a member otherwise appointed by the President of the University of Oklahoma; 3. One member shall be the Vice President for Research from Oklahoma State University or a member otherwise appointed by the President of Oklahoma State University; 4. One member shall be the Vice President for Research and Economic Development from the University of Tulsa or a member otherwise appointed by the President of the University of Tulsa; 5. One member who shall represent the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, appointed by the Director of the Department of Commerce; 6. One member who shall represent the Department of Labor, appointed by the Commissioner of Labor; 7. One member who shall represent the Department of Environmental Quality, appointed by the Executive Director of the Department of Environmental Quality; 8. One member who shall represent the Corporation Commission, appointed by the Chair of the Commission; 9. One member who shall represent the Department of Transportation, appointed by the Director of the Department of Transportation; 10. One member who shall represent the Oklahoma Water Resources Board, appointed by the Executive Director of the Oklahoma Water Resources Board; 11. One member who shall represent the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology, appointed by the Executive Director of the Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology; 12. One member, who shall represent an electric utility or cooperative regulated by the Corporation Commission, appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate; and 13. One member, who shall represent the nuclear energy industry, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives. C. 1. The Board shall establish an Energy Industry Advisory Council, appointed by the chair, for the purposes of providing industry expertise and knowledge, assisting the Board with annual report requirements, providing general recommendations, and other support as needed to advance the efforts of the Board. 2. Members appointed to the Council shall serve at the pleasure of the chair of the Board. D. Board members shall serve for a term of four (4) years, which shall begin on January 1 of the first year of the appointment and end on December 31 of the fourth year. There shall be no limit to the number of consecutive terms served. If a vacancy should occur during a member’s term, the appointing authority for the vacant position shall appoint a new member to fill the remainder of the unexpired term. Board members shall serve without compensation but may be eligible for necessary travel expenses pursuant to the State Travel Reimbursement Act. E. The Board shall be responsible for establishing procedures for the Initiative and operations of the Board and the Advisory Council. The rules may provide for protection from public disclosure of trade secrets and proprietary information of any kind including, but not limited to, data, processes and technology, as the Board determines necessary. F. The Board shall undertake activities and commission programs, through the contributing institutions and entities, to achieve the purpose and satisfy the objectives of the Initiative as provided in the Oklahoma Energy Initiative Act. The Board shall have authority to distribute funding for such activities and programs. The Board may employ staff as it deems necessary. G. The Board, in consultation with the Advisory Council and any other party deemed necessary, shall submit and publish electronically an annual, written report to summarize the annual progress of the Initiative including summaries of its programs and their progress and outcomes. The report shall be made available to the public and shall be distributed electronically to the Governor, the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives. H. The provisions of the Oklahoma Central Purchasing Act shall not apply to any project, activity or contract of the Initiative or the Board. I. No Board member or any person acting on behalf of the Board, Advisory Council, or Initiative executing any contracts, commitments or agreements issued by or on behalf of the Oklahoma Low Carbon Energy Initiative shall be personally liable for the contracts, commitments, or agreements or be subject to any personal liability or accountability by reason thereof. No director or any person acting on behalf of the Board or Initiative shall be personally liable for damage or injury resulting from the performance of duties hereunder. Added by Laws 2012, c. 247, § 3, emerg. eff. May 14, 2012. Amended by Laws 2014, c. 232, § 1, emerg. eff. May 6, 2014; Laws 2022, c. 27, § 2, eff. Nov. 1, 2022; Laws 2024, c. 31, § 2, eff. Nov. 1, 2024.
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