The department shall have the authority to conduct or authorize investigations, research, experiments, and demonstrations, cooperate with other governmental and private agencies in making investigations, receive any federal funds, state funds, and other funds and expend them on research programs concerning geothermal resources and their potential development within the state, and to collect and disseminate information relating to geothermal resources in the state: PROVIDED, That the department shall not construct or operate commercial geothermal facilities.