Energy Research Group Documents and Technical Memoranda, 1975- | University of Illinois Archives

The Office of Energy Research began in 1974 as the Office for Coal Research and Utilization.¹ Its purpose was to provide a focus for development Illinois coal research and to communicate more effectively with state, federal and private organizations, other campuses, and educational institutions with an interest in coal use to help alleviate energy problems and lower fuel costs.² In 1976 the Office became the Office of Energy Research.³ Its purpose was to acquire and disseminate "information on research opportunities to the faculty, along with information on how to use the formal channels available for proposals."⁴ The Office also assembled information on energy-related research, produced an executive summary of selected research activities tailored to the needs of particular targeted groups, and promoted and stimulated "interdisciplinary research on energy problems."⁵ Additional responsibilities of the Director included participation in the Midwest Universities Energy Consortium (MUEC) and service on the advisory board for the Center for Research on Sulfur in Coal (CSRC). The Director reported to the Vice Chancellor for Research until June 1990, when the Office on Energy Research was terminated by the Board of Trustees as a part of campus reallocation efforts.⁶

1. Board of Trustees Transactions, 58th Report, Supplement, September 17, 1975, p. UC024; 59th Report, Supplement, September 15, 1976, p. UC003.

2. Board of Trustees Transactions, 58th Report, September 18, 1974, pp. 38-39.

3. Energy Research, ca. 1981, p. 1.

4. Ibid.

5. Ibid.

6. Chancellor's Office, Closing of the Office of Energy Research, Urbana (Report for Information), June 14, 1990.