INTRODUCTION

On April 10, 1979, President Carter began his news conference by calling on Governor John D. Rockefeller IV, in his role as Chairman of the President's Commission on Coal, to conduct special hearings on how the Nation can reduce dependency on imported oil through greater use of coal.

The hearings were held in the National Academy of Sciences Building in Washington, D. C., on May 29-30, 1979. Oral testimony was presented by invited witnesses representing labor, industry, government, and the scientific community. Written statements were accepted from the witnesses, and members of the public submitting information in response to the announcement of the hearing.

Volume I contains the proceedings of the two days of hearings. Written statements are contained in Volume II.