Financial Assistance Award: Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Financial Assistance Award: Virginia Polytechnic Institute and

State University

AGENCY: Department of Energy, Pittsburgh Energy Technology Center.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Department of Energy (DOE), Pittsburgh Energy Technology

Center, announces that pursuant to 10 CFR 600.14 (e) and (f) it intends

to make a Non-Competitive Financial Assistance Award (Grant) to

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University based on an

Unsolicited Proposal submitted to DOE by the University.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

U.S. Department of Energy, Pittsburgh Energy Technology Center,

Acquisition and Assistance Center, P.O. Box 10940, MS 921-118,

Pittsburgh, PA 15236, Attn.: William R. Mundorf, Telephone: (412) 892-

4483, Comments or inquiries should be submitted within 14 days of the

date of this announcement.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State

University (VPI) has proposed to DOE to cost share, by approximately

20%, a program to assist the U.S. coal industry to improve its

efficiency in producing lower sulfur coals. VPI will be the lead

organization of the Appalachian Clean Coal Technology Consortium

(ACCTC). ACCTC involves three universities (VPI, West Virginia

University and the University of Kentucky) as charter members, and five

coal companies, an A&E firm and an equipment company as affiliate

members. The objectives of the consortium are (1) to increase the

production of lower sulfur coals, (2) to enhance the competitiveness of

U.S. coals in the international market, (3) to create high-tech jobs in

the economically-depressed areas of Appalachia, (4) to reduce the

nation's dependency of foreign energy supplies, (5) to produce coals

from refuse ponds in useable forms, and (6) to minimize the impact of

coal burning on the environment. Cooperative relationships with coal

companies, equipment manufacturers, and A&E firms are planned to assist

in achieving the objectives. The work will entail (1) development of

new advanced coal cleaning technologies, (2) improvement of the

efficiency of existing coal cleaning technologies, (3) information

exchange, and (4) train personnel/work force for industry.

In accordance with 10 CFR 600.14 (e) and (f), acceptance of an

Unsolicited Proposal from VPI has been justified. DOE support of the

ACCTC activities would provide a unique and innovative method of

enhancement of the competitiveness of U.S. coals that would otherwise

be unavailable. This effort is therefore considered suitable for

noncompetitive financial assistance and would not be eligible for

financial assistance under a solicitation.

DOE funding for this research is estimated to be approximately

$250,000 for a 12 month period of performance. These funds shall be

used to pay for the reasonable cost of research staff and support

personnel necessary for the overall project.

Issued in Washington, DC on September 12, 1994.

Richard D. Rogus,

Contracting Officer.

[FR Doc. 94-23745 Filed 9-23-94; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6450-01-M