(a) The members of the House of Representatives and the Senate appointed at each regular session of the General Assembly to the Joint Committee on Energy shall constitute a joint interim committee of the General Assembly to function in the interim between the sine die adjournment or extended recess of the regular session or fiscal session of each General Assembly until the convening of the next regular session or fiscal session of the General Assembly or reconvening of the current General Assembly during an extended recess. This joint interim committee shall be known as the "Joint Interim Committee on Energy" and shall function in addition to the other interim committees of the General Assembly established by law. In the event a vacancy shall occur on the Joint Interim Committee on Energy, the vacancy shall be filled in the same manner as provided for the initial appointment.

(b) The Joint Interim Committee on Energy shall make continuing studies of energy resources and problems, either initiated by the Joint Interim Committee on Energy or referred to it by either house of the General Assembly for study, in the interim between sessions of the General Assembly. Interim study proposals and resolutions filed with the Legislative Council under the provisions of § 10-3-214 for review and referral to the appropriate germane interim committee of the General Assembly, relating to energy, shall be referred to the Joint Interim Committee on Energy. The Joint Interim Committee on Energy shall undertake each study referred to it by members of the General Assembly or by the Legislative Council and shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations in regard to each study request prior to the convening of the next regular session of the General Assembly.

(c) In addition, the Joint Interim Committee on Energy shall exercise leadership in the interim between legislative sessions and shall attempt to coordinate the various energy activities, studies, and planning activities of the General Assembly which relate to the conservation, development, and use of energy resources for the various committees of the General Assembly.

(d) The Joint Interim Committee on Energy shall cooperate with the Governor, the appropriate administrative agencies of this state, legislative and administrative agencies of other states, and with the federal government, including participation in regional and national meetings and seminars of state and federal officials in the exchange of information and data on energy resources, supplies, reserves, and in the conservation, storage, and use of energy, including the disposal of energy waste and by-products.