(1) The department may:
(a) Employ staff and counsel as needed in the performance of its duties.
(b) Prosecute and defend legal actions in its own name.
(c) Form advisory groups consisting of members of the public to provide information on specific issues.
(2) The department shall:
(a) Develop policy for requiring grantees to provide royalty-sharing or licensing agreements with state government for commercialized products developed under a state grant.
(b) Administer the information gathering and reporting functions pursuant to ss. 377.601-377.608.
(c) Advocate for energy issues consistent with the goals in s. 377.601(2) and provide educational outreach and technical assistance in cooperation with the state’s academic institutions.
(d) Be a party in the proceedings to adopt goals and submit comments to the Public Service Commission pursuant to s. 366.82.
(e) Adopt rules pursuant to chapter 120 in order to implement all powers and duties described in this section.