1. Not less than twice each calendar year, representatives from the department of labor and industrial relations, the department of elementary and secondary education, the department of agriculture, the department of economic development, and the department of natural resources shall meet to discuss ways in which their respective agencies may collaborate in order to secure grants established in the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, Public Law 110-140, or other such grants that would fund: green jobs; the production of renewable fuels; increasing energy efficiency of products, buildings and vehicles; and increasing research and development relating to the manufacturing of renewable energy technologies. The department of natural resources is hereby designated as the coordinating agency for the inter-agency collaboration under this section.

2. In fulfilling the goals under this section, any of the departments under subsection 1 of this section may confer with, or invite participation by, any other interested individual, agency, or organization, which shall include but not be limited to nonprofit organizations, private sector entities, institutions of higher education, and local governments. Such departments may enter into partnerships with, in accordance with federal grant requirements and as otherwise allowable by law, any individual, agency, or organization in securing a grant under this section.

3. No later than the first Wednesday after the first Monday of January each year, the departments outlined in subsection 1 of this section shall report jointly to the general assembly and to the governor the actions taken by their agencies in securing the grants outlined in this section.