Office of the state climatologist
SECTION 42.
Said chapter 21A is hereby further amended by adding the following section:-
Section 24. There shall be within the executive office of energy and environmental affairs an office of the state climatologist, which shall be under the supervision and control of a state climatologist to be appointed by the secretary of energy and environmental affairs. The office of the state climatologist and the chancellor of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst shall: (i) gather and archive data on climate conditions in the commonwealth; (ii) conduct and foster research concerning the climate in the commonwealth and look for opportunities for sponsored research concerning climate issues in the commonwealth; (iii) coordinate with the Northeast Regional Climate Center housed at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst by the United States Department of the Interior; and (iv) educate and inform citizens on matters related to climate. The office of the state climatologist shall advise all other branches of state and local government concerning the climate in the commonwealth and its implications for both economic and scientific needs in conjunction with existing and future environmental factors relating to the climate in the commonwealth. The office of the state climatologist shall maintain a liaison with federal and other state and academic institutions and join federal and international climate interest groups. The state climatologist shall serve for a term of 5 years but may be reappointed. The office of the state climatologist shall be funded by the executive office.