N.Y. Environmental Conservation Law § 23-0311: New York state oil, gas and solution mining advisory board

§ 23-0311. New York state oil, gas and solution mining advisory board.

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.