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.