1.  Appointment.  The Governor shall appoint the commissioner, subject to review by the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over energy matters and confirmation by the Senate. The commissioner serves at the pleasure of the Governor.  

2.  Deputy commissioner.  The commissioner shall appoint a deputy commissioner to assist the commissioner with the operations of the department. The deputy commissioner serves at the pleasure of the commissioner.  

3.  Personnel.  The commissioner may employ, subject to the Civil Service Law, personnel for the department and prescribe the duties of these employees as the commissioner determines necessary to fulfill the duties of the department. The commissioner may delegate duties assigned to the commissioner under this chapter to personnel of the department.  

4.  Commissioner; limitation.  An individual serving or appointed to serve as the commissioner on or after December 15, 2025 may not participate on behalf of a bidder in the submission of a proposal in response to a competitive solicitation conducted by the department pursuant to section 10313 until 12 months after the completion of the commissioner's service.  

5.  Contracts; agreements.  The department may employ experts and professional consultants, contract for services as the commissioner determines necessary consistent with the powers and duties of the department and enter into agreements with federal, state and municipal entities and other organizations as will promote the objectives of this chapter.  

6.  Powers and duties of commissioner.  The commissioner is responsible for the execution of the duties of the department. The commissioner shall: