The director of development and the public benefits advisory board have the powers and duties provided in sections 4928.61 and 4928.62 of the Revised Code, in order to promote the welfare of the people of this state; stabilize the economy; assist in the improvement and development within this state of not-for-profit entity, industrial, commercial, distribution, residential, and research buildings and activities required for the people of this state; improve the economic welfare of the people of this state by reducing energy costs and by reducing energy usage in a cost-efficient manner using, as determined by the director, both the most appropriate national, federal, or other standards for products and the best practices for the use of technology, products, or services in the context of a total facility or building; and assist in the lowering of energy demand to reduce air, water, or thermal pollution . It is hereby determined that the accomplishment of those purposes is essential so that the people of this state may maintain their present high standards in comparison with the people of other states and so that opportunities for improving the economic welfare of the people of this state, for improving the housing of residents of this state, and for favorable markets for the products of this state's natural resources, agriculture, and manufacturing shall be improved; and that it is necessary for this state to establish the program authorized pursuant to sections 4928.61 and 4928.62 of the Revised Code.

Effective Date: 04-07-2004; 01-04-2007 .