The National Coal Council is the organization that oversees administrative management of the National Coal Council which is a Federal Advisory Committee to the U.S. Secretary of Energy. The NCC Federal Advisory Committee (NCC-FACA) was established in 1984, and provides advice and recommendations to the Secretary of Energy on coal policy, technology and markets.
The NCC-FACA’s activities include providing the Secretary of Energy with advice on:
- Federal policies that directly or indirectly affect the production, marketing and use of coal;
- Plans, priorities and strategies to address more effectively the technological, regulatory and social impact of issues relating to coal production and use;
- The appropriate balance between various elements of Federal coal-related programs;
- Scientific and engineering aspects of coal technologies, including emerging coal conversion, utilization or environmental control concepts; and
- The progress of coal research, development, demonstration and commercial application.
The principal activity of the NCC-FACA is to prepare reports for the Secretary of Energy. The NCC's Coal Policy Committee develops prospective topics for the Secretary's consideration as potential subjects for NCC studies.
NCC is a separate, non-governmental, non-profit organization that receives no government funding for its operation. Financing for NCC relies on annual voluntary contributions from members and sponsors. NCC provides administrative assistance and support to the NCC Federal Advisory Committee on a no-cost basis to the Department of Energy.