(a) The State Bond Commission is empowered to authorize the issuance of bonds of the state in one or more series in an aggregate principal amount not exceeding three hundred ninety-eight million dollars. The proceeds of the sale of said bonds shall be used for the making of advances and grants under sections 22a-439 to 22a-443, inclusive, and for the payment of expenses incurred by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection in carrying out the provisions of this chapter which are not otherwise provided for from the state General Fund. Not more than one-half of one per cent of said proceeds may be used for the payment of such expenses. Said bonds shall be issued in accordance with § 3-20 and the full faith and credit of the state are pledged for the payment of the principal of and interest on said bonds as the same become due.

(b) All of said bonds shall be payable at such place or places as may be determined by the Treasurer pursuant to § 3-19 and shall bear such date or dates, mature at such time or times not exceeding twenty years from their respective dates, bear interest at such rate or different or varying rates and payable at such time or times, be in such denominations, be in such form with or without interest coupons attached, carry such registration and transfer privileges, be payable in such medium of payment and be subject to such terms of redemption with or without premium as, irrespective of the provisions of § 3-20, may be provided in the determination authorizing the same or fixed in accordance therewith. Notwithstanding the provisions of said § 3-20, any of said bonds may be sold to the United States or any agency or instrumentality thereof in such manner and on such terms as may be provided in the determination authorizing the same or fixed in accordance therewith.