[§277-2]  Authorization.  The department of transportation shall establish, maintain, operate, manage and control energy corridors throughout the State for the purpose of maximizing the utilization of lands available for use in connection with transporting by pipeline or other means, sources of energy including but not limited to oil, its derivatives and natural gas; provided that the utilization of such energy corridors shall be permissive and not mandatory. [L 1970, c 33, §2]