There is hereby established a special commission, pursuant to section 2A of chapter 4 of the General Laws, to investigate and study the Northeast Energy Direct Pipeline Project proposed by the Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company, which would impact municipalities and natural resources across the commonwealth. The commission shall consist of 3 members of the house of representatives, 1 of whom shall be nominated by the minority leader, 3 members of the senate, 1 of whom shall be nominated by the minority leader, the secretary of energy and environmental affairs, the chairman of the department of public utilities, and 3 members to be appointed by the governor, 1 of whom shall be a professor from an institution of higher learning with expertise in the area of fracking and natural gas. The members of the commission may elect a member to serve as chair.  As part of its study and investigation, the commission shall: (1) review and monitor all materials related to the project that have been filed with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission; (2) identify all opportunities for individuals, municipalities, or other actors within the commonwealth to file comments, motions to intervene, or other relevant filings related to the project with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission; (3) develop a plan of action for the commonwealth to prevent or mitigate the environmental, financial, and other risks associated with the project to the fullest extent possible under state and federal law.