NO FUEL LIKE AN OI D FOSSI1 FUE1 SI 1 



an environmental and safety research, development, and demonstration 

 program related to fossil fuels." Bell sought to have the amendment 

 stricken on the grounds that it would create duplication with the 

 Bureau of Mines, and Teague reiterated: " It we did a better job in the 

 subcommittees we wouldn't e,ct into this type of situation." The 

 1 lechler amendment barely survived a challenge from Bell, Wydler, and 

 several other opponents. 



HOUSE DEBATE OX ERDA BILL IN 1975 



The controversies within the subcommittee and between the sub- 

 committee and ERDA should not obscure the detailed work done in 

 bringing out legislation to strengthen the energy resources of the Na- 

 tion. In presenting the authorization bill to the House on June 19, 1975, 

 Hechler pointed out that in 1970 there had been a Federal investment 

 of only $12 million in fossil fuels research and development, contrasted 

 with the $424 million in the bill presented in 1975- This new funding 

 included: 



Five coal liquefaction pilot plants. 



Clean boiler fuel demonstration plant. 



Additional R. & D. in four methods of converting coal to liquids: Direct hydrogena- 



tion, solvent extraction, pvrolysis and indirect liquefaction. 

 Continue cooperative work with the American Gas Association toward high-Btu 



coal gasification plant by 1980. 

 Construction of a pilot plant capable of converting 50 tons per hour of coal to low-Btu 



gas. 

 Continue work on direct combusion of coal through fluidized bed and other means of 



burning high-sulfur coal in an environmentally acceptable manner. 

 Magnetohydrodynamics and fuel cells R. & D. 

 In situ processing of oil shale. 



R. & D. on recovery of clean fuels from oil shale through other processes. 

 New methods of recovery of oil and natural gas. 



In addition, a vast amount of R. & D. work, systems studies, materials 

 research, and other advanced technological efforts were programed to 

 meet the aim of producing clean fuels for the future. In contrasting the 

 billions of dollars spent on nuclear R. &D., Hechler deplored the pen- 

 nies which had been invested in fossil fuels, and told the House: 



In the near-term, it is absolutely essential that we press forward and place the 

 highest priority on the conversion of coal and on the development of synthetic 

 substitute natural gas and the liquefaction of coal. 



Emery opened his address on the fossil R. & D. aspects of the 1975 bill 

 as follows: 



I consider this to be one of the most important pieces of legislation that we may 

 consider during this session of Congress. 



