I understand that your Committee on Public Works is considering the National Petroleum and Natural Gas Conservation and Coal Substitution Act of 1975, S. 1777, which would require, to the extent practicable, that existing electric utility power plant boilers and major industrial boilers be capable of utilizing coal as the primary fuel. In this connection I would like to submit information from recent hearings before the Texas Railroad Commission for your review. The electric utilities in the State of Texas retained Ebasco Services, Incorporated, a New York consulting firm, to prepare testimony with reference to the Texas Railroad Commission Docket No. 600 - Reducing or Eliminating Natural Gas as a boiler fuel in Texas. I respectfully request that Ebasco's report, dated May, 1975, be included in the Committee's record. While these proceedings were directed specifically to the situation in Texas, I believe that the findings of the report, particularly with regard to manufacturing capability, investment estimates and coal firing in boilers designed for gas firing and/or oil firing, are applicable to the conversion problems throughout the country and, therefore, pertinent to your deliberations on this bill. Sincerely yours, Keers Sande R. W. Hardy y RWH/fg |