Section 9-17-60 Authorization for Leasing of Certain State Lands for Exploration, Development and Production - Lands of Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

(a) The Commissioner of Conservation and Natural Resources, on behalf of the state, is hereby authorized to lease any lands or interest therein under the jurisdiction of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for the exploration, development, and production of oil, gas, other minerals, energy sources and related uses, or any one or more of them, on, in, and under such lands. (b) The term “energy sources and related uses” includes, but is not limited to, energy generation, energy capture, energy storage, and transmission of geothermal energy, solar energy, and hydropower. (c) The commissioner may modify the renewal or extension terms of a lease entered into pursuant to subsection (a). If the lease under consideration is an existing lease authorized under subsection (a), the commissioner’s actions and negotiations shall be exempt from the requirements of Section 9-17-65. This subsection shall not be construed to authorize the commissioner to sell any lands. (d) Nothing in this section shall be construed to amend, repeal, enlarge, or otherwise affect any provision of Title 37, including, but not limited to, Chapters 1, 4, and 14 of that title.