A. Creation of the Commission.-During the winter of 1974 a group of persons interested in the potential for coal liquefaction and gasification formed an ad hoc group to address the issue. This group met several times during the year, its members serving on a voluntary basis, and submitted a report to the Governor and General Assembly during the 1975 Session including Senate Joint Resolution No. 109. As a result of this resolution, which requested formal status and funding for the group, the Virginia Coal and Energy Commission was created to study the development and utilization of Virginia's coal including exploration, mapping, and transportation.

B. Members of the Commission.-The membership of the Commission is as follows: Senator J. Harry Michael, Jr., Charlottesville, Chairman; Delegate C. Don Dunford, Tazewell, Vice Chairman; Senator Peter K. Babalas, Norfolk; Edmond M. Boggs, Virginia Department of Labor and Industry, Richmond; Cecil W. Bolling, Pound; Charles A. Christophersen, Director, Intergovernmental Affairs, Richmond; B. V. Cooper, Virginia Surface Mining and Reclamation Association, Inc., Big Stone Gap; Delegate J. Paul Councill, Jr., Franklin; Delegate Garry G. DeBruhl, Critz; Ernst W. Farley, Jr., Richmond; Dr. Herbert O. Funsten, Williamsburg; Delegate Joseph A. Johnson, Abingdon; Mark R. Kilduff, Economist, Division of Industrial Development, Richmond; Harden Lacy, Williamsburg; Louis R. Lawson, Jr., Director, Virginia Energy Office, Richmond; Marvin M. Sutherland, Director, Department of Conservation and Economic Development, Richmond; Delegate W. Ward Teel, Christiansburg; W. Luke Witt, Virginia Coal Association, Richmond. Bragdon R. Bowling, Jr. and Ms. Susan T. Gill served as staff to the Commission from the Division of Legislative Services.

C. Principle Areas of Study.-During the past year the Commission has been particularly concerned with the following: 1) liquefaction and gasification; 2) exploration and mapping of coal reserves in Virginia; 3) development and transportation; and 4) the possibility of the creation of a coal research bureau or authority.