Comments on the Administration's Proposed Synthetic Fuels Commercialization Program

A proposal not enacted by Congress, but which would have authorized a loan guarantee program for commercial synthetic fuel demonstration facilities, is evaluated by GAO. This review: describes the current status and goals of coal gasification, coal liquefaction, and oil shale conversion technologies; analyzes House Resolution 3474, section 103, that was introduced, but not enacted, in the first session of the 94th Congress; and discusses the desirability of providing Government incentives to the private sector under the synthetic fuels program. An Interagency Task Force on Synthetic Fuels Commercialization was established in 1975 under the Energy Resources Council to determine and develop various measures associated with the commercialization of synthetic fuels. The Task Force recommended a two-phase program aimed at: developing information on, and demonstrating the technical, economic, and environmental feasibility of commercial-scale plants using available technologies; and providing Government incentives, such as loan guarantees, construction grants, and price supports, to encourage industry to participate in the production of synthetic fuels.