Rye rf
DFL

RY

New York State
Energy Research and Development Authority
Rockefeller Plaza e Albany, New York 12223

(518) 465-6251

 

June 19, 1979

 

President

The Rockefeller University
1230 York Avenue

New York, New York 10021

Dear Sir:

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority
recognizes the long term importance of coal in the State's future energy
supply strategy, and is most interested in developing new technologies
that will convert coal into a reliable, economic and environmentally at-
tractive energy form. The University Coal Laboratory (UCL) Program
being developed by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) provides an
opportunity to develop, within New York State, a strong technology base
for coal conversion systems. For this reason, NYSERDA is actively
pursuing the University Coal Laboratory Program in cooperation with the
academic community of New York State.

The final rules for the University Coal Laboratory Program were
published in the Federal Register on May 1, 1979, in response to a
congressional initiative which will include appropriations from the
budgets of fiscal years 1980 through 1984. New York State universities
could compete for one of three laboratories to be established in states
which do not have a large coal production industry. The maximum federal
support available for this laboratory will be $2.3 million in fiscal
year 1980 for facility design, construction, and startup costs, and
$650,000 per year in fiscal years 1981 to 1984 for facility operation.
The operations support must be matched with an equal cost share of
nonfederal support.

We sponsored an information meeting concerning the UCL Program on
June 5, 1979 (minutes attached) and representatives from several universities
met to discuss the interest in and potential for preparing a New York
State-based response to this federal procurement. One important point
University Coal Laboratory Program
Page 2

raised by meeting participants was the need to solicit additional SL
information on coal research programs or other research programs that

may relate to coal use from other universities throughout the state.

NYSERDA was asked to act as coordinator in assembling this information.
Therefore, a short description of any ongoing or planned coal or coal

related research programs at your University. A one-or-two page description
of the program prepared according to the attached format would be appreciated.
I also invite you to participate in a follow-up meeting to be organized

by NYSERDA in which the various university program descriptions will be
reviewed and reconmendations made relative to a New York State University

Coal Laboratory response.

Thank you for the time and effort which you will put forth to
cooperate in this mutual effort. Please contact Tom Mullen, of my
staff, at the above address with any questions or comments that you may
have. I Took forward to working with you on future coal research efforts
as our programs progress.

Sincerely,

NEW YORK STATE ENERGY RESEARCH AND

DEVELOPENT AUTH@RITY

Dr. A. Bruce Bishop
Executive Director

ABB/re