COMMISSION DUTIES.

(a) In administering the plan established under this chapter and in accordance with the requirements of this chapter, the commission:

(1) shall:

(A) manage plan funds and oversee the plan;

(B) produce guidelines, protocols, and criteria for eligible projects;

(C) develop methodologies for evaluating project cost-effectiveness;

(D) prepare reports regarding the progress and effectiveness of the plan; and

(E) take all appropriate and necessary actions so that emissions reductions achieved through the plan are credited by the United States Environmental Protection Agency to the appropriate emissions reduction objectives in the state implementation plan; and

(2) may hire staff and consultants needed to complete the commission's duties under this section and ensure timely review of applications and reimbursement of grant applicants' eligible project costs.

(b) Appropriate commission objectives include:

(1) achieving maximum reductions in oxides of nitrogen to demonstrate compliance with the state implementation plan;

(2) preventing areas of the state from being in violation of national ambient air quality standards;

(3) achieving cost-saving and multiple benefits by reducing emissions of other pollutants;

(4) achieving reductions of emissions of diesel exhaust from school buses; and

(5) advancing new technologies that reduce oxides of nitrogen and other emissions from facilities and other stationary sources.