Corda (a proposed coal research and development agency)

There is a national need to provide the necessary advanced technology in coal through Research, Development and Demonstration (R, D & D). An agency is proposed to accomplish this need by avoiding the constraints in financial, staffing and administrative matters associated with government departments. Such constraints are, of course, necessary in the operation of the Public Service, but are deterrents in expediting solutions to urgent problems. The agency would be known as the Coal Research and Development Agency (CORDA). As an incorporated body, CANMET would have representation on the Board of Directors. A small staff comprising project engineers and administrative support would initially suffice. Technical support staff, if required, could be seconded from CANMET for two-year periods. The national need for R, D & D in coal would be fulfilled by CORDA as follows: 1. bringing together the expertise, knowledge, experience, needs, views and capabilities of those in industry, governments and universities to: (a) jointly plan and/or select research and development projects to effectively solve national energy problems in coal; (h) co-ordinate research programs on coal to avoid a duplication and fragmentation of research efforts in Canada; (c) advise on matters pertaining to the selection of research and development efforts which should advance to the demonstration stage; (d) provide the public sector with an access route to government research facilities. 2. provide a process engineering group of mature, experienced engineers to act as project engineers for coal demonstrations. CORDA, as an independent body, could be located anywhere in Canada. However, the Department of Energy, Mines and Resources, as the recognized lead agency for the nation's research effort on coal, should play a dominant role in the CORDA concept. For this reason an arrangement is envisaged whereby certain CANMET facilities now located in western Canada could be eventually "wrapped around" CORDA. A portion of CANMET contract money would be used initially to finance CORDA.