[§269‑123]  Requirements for the public benefits fund administrator.  (a)  Any fund administrator appointed pursuant to section 269-122 shall satisfy the qualification requirements established by the public utilities commission by rule or order.  These requirements may include experience and expertise in:

     (1)  Energy-efficient and renewable energy technologies and methods; and

     (2)  Identifying, developing, administering, and implementing demand-side management and energy‑efficiency programs.

     (b)  The fund administrator's duties and responsibilities shall be established by the public utilities commission by rule or order, and may include:

     (1)  Identifying, developing, administering, promoting, implementing, and evaluating programs, methods, and technologies that support energy-efficiency and demand-side management programs;

     (2)  Encouraging the continuance or improvement of efficiencies made in the production, delivery, and use of energy-efficiency and demand-side management programs and services;

     (3)  Using the energy-efficiency expertise and capabilities that have developed or may develop in the State and consulting with state agency experts;

     (4)  Promoting program initiatives, incentives, and market strategies that address the needs of persons facing the most significant barriers to participation;

     (5)  Promoting coordinated program delivery, including coordination with electric public utilities regarding the delivery of low-income home energy assistance, other demand-side management or energy-efficiency programs, and any utility programs;

     (6)  Consideration of innovative approaches to delivering demand-side management and energy-efficiency services, including strategies to encourage third party financing and customer contributions to the cost of demand-side management and energy-efficiency services; and

     (7)  Submitting, to the public utilities commission for review and approval, a multi-year budget and planning cycle that promotes program improvement, program stability, and maturation of programs and delivery resources. [L 2006, c 162, pt of §1]