79-6-1003. Utah Energy Research Board -- Duties -- Expenses.
(1) There is established in the office the Utah Energy Research Board that is composed of the following voting board members:
(a) the director, or the director's designee, who shall serve as the chair of the board;
(b) the president, or the president's designee, of each public and private university in the state that is classified as a Research 1 institution by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education;
(c) the commissioner of higher education, as described in Section 53H-1-302, or the commissioner's designee;
(d) one member, who is not a legislator, with experience in the non-regulated energy industry appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives;
(e) one member, who is not a legislator, with experience in energy commercialization appointed by the president of the Senate;
(f) one member appointed by the governor who resides in a county of the third, fourth, fifth, or sixth class as classified under Section 17-60-104;
(g) one member appointed by the director representing the Idaho National Laboratory; and
(h) two members appointed by the director with relevant expertise in energy research and development.
(2)
(a) The term of an appointed board member is four years.
(b) Notwithstanding Subsection (2)(a), the person making an appointment shall, at the time of appointment or reappointment, adjust the length of board member terms to ensure the terms of board members are staggered so that approximately half of the board is constituted of new members every two years.
(c) The person who appoints a member under Subsection (1) may remove an appointee who was appointed by the person for cause.
(d) The person who appoints a member under Subsection (1) shall fill a vacancy on the board in the same manner as provided in Subsection (1).
(e) An individual appointed to fill a vacancy shall serve the remaining unexpired term.
(f) Unless removed for cause under Subsection (2)(c) a board member shall serve until a successor is appointed.
(3)
(a) A majority of the board constitutes a quorum.
(b) A majority vote of the quorum is required for an action to be taken by the board.
(4) The board shall:
(a) oversee and supervise the management of:
(i) the lab; and
(ii) the institute;
(b) appoint directors for the lab and institute, who shall serve at the pleasure of the board;
(c) establish reasonable compensation for:
(i) the lab director; and
(ii) the institute director;
(d) develop and implement:
(i) bylaws to govern the lab; and
(ii) bylaws to govern the institute;
(e) establish policies for:
(i) joint appointments between the Idaho National Laboratory and public and private institutions of higher education;
(ii) research partnerships between institutions;
(iii) technology commercialization; and
(iv) workforce development initiatives;
(f) foster innovation and support technological development in the energy sector by collaborating with industry leaders, researchers, entrepreneurs, investors, and other stakeholders;
(g) identify areas of economic growth and workforce development opportunities related to emerging energy technologies and solutions;
(h) seek potential investors and partners from the technology, finance, and business sectors to support innovative research and early-stage ventures focused on developing commercially viable energy technologies in the state;
(i) develop evaluation criteria for approving project proposals, with input from the lab director, including:
(i) alignment with state energy policy priorities;
(ii) commercialization potential;
(iii) economic impact; and
(iv) other relevant factors as determined by the board;
(j) approve providing matching grants to applicants under the Utah Energy Research Grant Program created in Section 79-6-403; and
(k) make recommendations to the council regarding funding allocations for:
(i) research projects;
(ii) facility operations;
(iii) workforce development programs; and
(iv) technology commercialization initiatives;
(l) administer the funds allocated by the council to the board;
(m) coordinate energy research activities between:
(i) the lab;
(ii) the institute;
(iii) public and private institutions of higher education;
(iv) the Idaho National Laboratory; and
(v) industry partners;
(n) review and approve annual reports from the lab and institute directors;
(o) report annually to:
(i) the governor;
(ii) the Public Utilities, Energy, and Technology Interim Committee; and
(iii) the Education Interim Committee;
(p) engage with industry partners to:
(i) identify research needs;
(ii) develop workforce programs;
(iii) commercialize technologies; and
(iv) secure additional funding sources;
(q) coordinate with federal agencies on:
(i) research initiatives;
(ii) grant opportunities; and
(iii) regulatory compliance;
(r) provide quarterly reports to the Utah Energy Council regarding:
(i) ongoing research projects and the research projects' alignment with state energy goals;
(ii) potential commercialization opportunities;
(iii) emerging technologies and the potential impact on the state's energy landscape; and
(iv) recommendations for policy changes or initiatives to support energy innovation; and
(s) coordinate with the council on:
(i) strategic planning for statewide energy research initiatives;
(ii) identifying priority research areas that align with state energy policy;
(iii) developing frameworks for public-private partnerships in energy research; and
(iv) establishing metrics for measuring research outcomes and impact.
(5) A member may not receive compensation or benefits for the member's service, but may receive per diem and travel expenses in accordance with:
(a) Section 63A-3-106;
(b) Section 63A-3-107; and
(c) rules made by the Division of Finance pursuant to Sections 63A-3-106 and 63A-3-107.
(6) The board shall meet at least quarterly and may hold additional meetings as necessary to review project proposals.
Amended by Chapter 17, 2025 Special Session 1
