(a) The Division of Energy Resources of the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority shall have sole authority and responsibility for the administration of this article.

(b) The division shall have the authority and responsibility to do the following:

(1) Consult with other departments, agencies, or officials of this state or political subdivisions thereof and appropriate private and professional organizations in matters related to energy. Any other department, educational institution, agency, or official of this state or political subdivision thereof which in any way would affect the administration or enforcement of this article is required to coordinate all such activities with the division to assure orderly and efficient administration and enforcement of this article;

(2) Do all things necessary to cooperate with the United States government and qualify for, accept, and disburse any public or private grant intended for the administration of this article;

(3) Apply for, receive, accept, and administer federal funds and programs made available to the state for the purposes of this article;

(4) Contract for services if such services cannot be satisfactorily performed by employees of the division or by any other state agency;

(5) Enter into agreements to carry out energy related research and planning jointly with other states or the federal government where appropriate;

(6) Inform, educate, and provide materials to other agencies of the state or political subdivisions thereof and to the public on all energy related matters, with particular emphasis on energy consumption trends and their social, environmental, and economic impacts; conservation and energy efficiency; and alternative energy technologies;

(7) Monitor and assess the relationship and impact of international, federal, and regional energy policies on the state's energy policies and programs;

(8) Collect and analyze data relating to past, present, and future consumption levels for all sources of energy and report such findings to the Governor annually. Such reports shall make recommendations on actions which would further the purposes of energy conservation and management;

(9) Prepare and present to the government for approval a standby emergency plan setting forth actions to be taken in the event of an impending serious shortage of energy or a threat to public health, safety, or welfare;

(10) Design and implement a program to encourage energy conservation and efficiency, to include, but not be limited to, public, commercial, industrial, governmental, and residential areas;

(11) Maintain awareness of all energy related research, with particular emphasis on alternative energy resources creating minimal environmental impact, which research could be of importance to the state's welfare for the purposes of providing constructive and supportive action;

(12) Solicit funds made available for the purposes of information, research studies, demonstrations, and projects of professional and civic orientation which are related to energy conservation and efficiency, the development and utilization of alternative energy technologies, and other appropriate energy related areas; and

(13) Design and implement programs to assist local governing authorities and other entities in implementing alternative energy projects.