The council shall have the power to:

(a)  Develop and recommend for implementation plans, programs and standards for energy conservation, energy efficiency, and diversification of energy resources.

(b)  Monitor and evaluate plans and programs for energy conservation, energy efficiency and diversification of energy resources; in order to effectuate such evaluations the council may request audits, including performance audits, of any program for energy conservation, energy efficiency or diversification of energy resources, that is established pursuant to Rhode Island law or is administered by a state agency, a request for an audit of any program operative pursuant to an order or decision of the public utilities commission shall be made to the commission; the council may make findings and recommendations with regard to changes, modification or continuation of any programs which it has authority to monitor or evaluate.

(c)  Submit to the joint committee on energy an annual report on/or before April 15 of each year, commencing in 2008, regarding the activities of the council, its assessment of energy issues, the status of system reliability, energy efficiency and conservation procurement and its recommendations regarding any improvements which might be necessary or desirable.

(d)  Participate in proceedings of the public utilities commission that pertain to the purposes of the council, including but not limited to proceedings regarding least-cost procurement as provided for in § 39-1-27.7.

(e)  Advise electric distribution companies with regard to implementation of least cost procurement.

(f)  Advise the commission of energy resources, and recommend policies, standards, strategies, plans, programs, and procedures with regard to functions of the office of energy resources including but not limited to plans, strategies, and programs to:

(1)  implement cost-effective energy conservation and energy efficiency programs;

(2)  promote the development of eligible renewable energy resources for Rhode Island;

(3)  foster distributed generation of electricity and demand response;

(4)  assist low-income households in meeting energy needs;

(5)  coordinate the use of funds, resources, and programs from diverse resources to achieve the purposes of the office.

(g)  Consider such other matters as it may deem appropriate to the fulfillment of its purposes, and may advise the governor, the general assembly, other parties, and the public with regard to matters pertaining to its purposes and duties, which advice may include findings and recommendations.