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Advanced Conversion Technology Feasibility Study

Click here for more information about the Advanced Conversion Technology Feasibility Study.

Clean Coal Technology Fund

The Clean Coal Task Force (CCTF) was created by statute W.S. 21-17-121, and:

(a) ...shall consist of the voting members of the Wyoming Energy Resources Council created pursuant to
W.S. 21-17-117(e), or their designees.

(b) ...shall issue requests for proposals for research projects into clean coal technologies. The task force shall review and evaluate proposals for research into clean coal technologies...

(c) ...shall issue a report to the governor and the joint minerals, business and economic development interim committee annually, no later than September 30, including, but not limited to, recommendations regarding funding specific proposals for research into clean coal technologies in Wyoming.

(d) ...shall be staffed by the governor's office with support from the University of Wyoming School of Energy Resources. The task force may contract for administrative and research services to aid in preparation of the task for report.

(f) ...may award funds in the clean coal technology account to proposals for clean coal after submitting the task force's recommendations to the joint minerals, business and economic development interim committee.

The Task force was created in March 2007 and shall exist until June 30, 2013, without further legislative extension.

Administration & Organization:

Although the Energy Resources Council and the CCTF consist of the same voting members and often meet on the same day, they have substantively different statutory charges, different and non-overlapping budgets (subject to different constraints), and different expectations. The Task Force:

• exists solely to administer the Clean Coal Technology Fund by issuing requests for, evaluating, and awarding funds to proposals for research into advanced clean coal technologies.
• shall be staffed by the Governor's office, which task can be delegated to UW or other state agencies.
• has explicit authority to "contract for administrative and research services to aid in preparation of the task force report."

This mission - to advance coal technologies by funding research on behalf of the State of Wyoming and not restricted to UW - differs fundamentally from ERC's UW-centered mission of promoting broad based, lasting, world-class energy expertise at the university. For this reason it is critical for the voting members to distinguish clearly when they are deliberating as the CCTF and when they are providing guidance to SER as the ERC.

In practice, UW acts as the fiscal agent for CCTF awards, with SER and the UW Office of Research and Economic Development each playing a role. A formal Memorandum of Understanding is being drafted to formally clarify the roles of CCTF, SER, and the UW Office of Research and Economic Development in administering CCTF awards.  Moreover, because CCTF acts as an entity external to UW, SER staff and UW General Counsel are exploring the assignment of an Assistant Attorney General, through the Wyoming Office of the Attorney General, in order to establish clear lines of involvement and authority on matters requiring legal advice or representation.

Budget:

Reporting:

The CCTF shall issue a report to the Governor and Joint Minerals, Business and Economic Development Interim Committee annually, no later than September 30, including, but not limited to recommendations regarding funding specific proposals for research into clean coal technologies in Wyoming.

Authority:

W.S. 21-17-121