Section 36:358 - Offices; purposes and functionsA. The purposes for which the offices of the Department of Energy and Natural Resources are created shall be as set forth in this Section.B. The office of coastal management shall perform the functions of the state relative to the coastal zone management program.C. The office of conservation, in accordance with law, shall exercise the functions of the state with respect to the regulation, conservation, permitting, compliance, and use of the natural resources of the state which are not specifically within the jurisdiction of other state departments or agencies. Its functions shall include but not be limited to the conservation of the oil and gas resources of the state and matters pertaining thereto; the promotion and encouragement of exploration, production, and refining efforts for oil, intrastate gas, and other hydrocarbons; the control and allocation of energy supplies and distribution; the lease or construction and operation of intrastate pipeline systems; the implementation and enforcement of any emergency gas shortage allocation plan and the setting of priorities; regulation of the minimum sale price of intrastate natural gas, and management of ground water resources all in accordance with applicable laws.D.(1) The office of mineral resources shall perform the functions of the state relating to the lease of lands and water bottoms of the state for the development and production of minerals, oil, and gas, and supervision of such mineral leases, in accordance with the law, including but not restricted to the exercise of the option of the state to receive in kind the portion due to the state as royalty of any minerals produced and severed from leased premises, and shall receive, administer, and control royalties due in kind to the state in accordance with state law.(2) Work in cooperation with the Center for Energy Studies to maintain current surface and subsurface geological surveys of the state, or otherwise at the discretion of the assistant secretary of the office of mineral resources or his designee; conduct geological mapping; prepare geological hazards assessments and resource inventories; and conduct process investigations and related studies.E. The office of enforcement shall be responsible for the inspection of the regulated community and the enforcement of laws and regulations within the jurisdiction of the department, consistent with Act No. 548 of the 2006 Regular Session of the Legislature.F. The office of energy shall organize, plan, supervise, direct, administer, execute, and be responsible for the functions and programs relating to the deployment and operation of alternative energy infrastructure in this state in a manner that results in affordable and reliable energy. The office of energy shall also work in cooperation with the Center for Energy Studies to create and carry out a central, comprehensive, and unified energy data and information program which will collect, evaluate, assemble, analyze, and disseminate data and information which is relevant to energy resource reserves, energy production, demand, and technology, and related economic and statistical information, or which is relevant to the adequacy of energy resources to meet demands in the near and longer term future of the state.G. The office of land and water shall be responsible for the following:(1) The administration of state water bottom management, the issuance of energy-related rights of way on state water bottoms and state lands, and energy-related leasing of state water bottoms and state lands as further set forth in law.(2) The administration of groundwater, surface water, and other water resources for quantity purposes, unless otherwise designated by the secretary following adequate review set forth by rule.Acts 1976, No. 513, §1. Amended by Acts 1977, No. 83, §1, eff. June 22, 1977; Acts 1979, No. 449, §3, eff. Jan. 1, 1980; Acts 1982, No. 698, §1; Acts 1983, No. 97, §7, eff. Feb. 1, 1984; Acts 1986, No. 581, §3, eff. July 2, 1986; Acts 1989, 2nd Ex. Sess., No. 6, §1, eff. July 14, 1989; Acts 1995, No. 95, §1, eff. June 12, 1995; Acts 1997, No. 239, §2; Acts 2003, No. 49, §1, eff. July 1, 2003; Acts 2009, No. 523, §1, eff. July 10, 2009; Acts 2023, No. 150, §10, eff. Jan. 10, 2024.Amended by Acts 2024, No. 727,s. 1, eff. 7/1/2024.Acts 1976, No. 513, §1. Amended by Acts 1977, No. 83, §1, eff. 6/22/1977; Acts 1979, No. 449, §3, eff. 1/1/1980; Acts 1982, No. 698, §1; Acts 1983, No. 97, §7, eff. 2/1/1984; Acts 1986, No. 581, §3, eff. 7/2/1986; Acts 1989, 2nd Ex. Sess., No. 6, §1, eff. 7/14/1989; Acts 1995, No. 95, §1, eff. 6/12/1995; Acts 1997, No. 239, §2; Acts 2003, No. 49, §1, eff. 7/1/2003; Acts 2009, No. 523, §1, eff. 7/10/2009; Acts 2023, No. 150, §10, eff. 1/10/2024.See Acts 2009, No. 523, §§9 and 10, relative to transfer of duties and responsibilities to the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority.