Issues relative to the development and commercialization of a coal-derived synthetic liquids industry. Ownership issues: alternative structures for creating a commercial coal liquefaction industry. Final report, January 1975--December 1976

This study is an inquiry into the various ownership and financing roles that the government might fulfill in the establishment of a large-scale coal-liquefaction industry. It first analyzes various historical precedents to determine their potential applicability to the present situation. Then various alternatives from totally private ownership to totally public ownership are examined to assess their advantages and disadvantages including the possibility of changes in ownership over time. The analysis generally finds that where government involvement is important the structuring of the operations should be made as much as possible like that of a private corporation and avoid involvement with civil service laws. Finally, the involvement of government in this new industry is expected to decrease over time--in part through a transfer of its ownership, if any, of facilities acquired during the early phases.