OCDO Third Party Review
The Ohio Coal Development Office (OCDO) was transferred to the Ohio Air Quality Development Authority (OAQDA) on July 1, 2003. Late last year, OAQDA commissioned a third party review of OCDO by Taratec Corporation and Energy Resources International, Inc. The Final Report is now completed, and a copy accompanies this overview document.
A third party review of OCDO had never before been conducted. OAQDA undertook this process to assess OCDO’s historical performance and to use the information gathered to determine and implement future program direction. We directed the review team to identify program strengths as well as weaknesses. We are very pleased with the review and its recommendations. It provides us with exactly the impartial assessment that we sought.
The Final Report confirms that OCDO has accomplished a great deal:
- OCDO-funded projects have entered the marketplace as commercial clean coal technology products.
- OCDO has helped Ohio companies increase their sales of coal-related products and services.
- The leveraging of funds by OCDO is significant – three dollars leveraged for every dollar invested by OCDO in research, development, and deployment.
- OCDO is regarded nationwide as a model university technology research program.
- OCDO is recognized as the most effective of all state coal programs in gaining national recognition and the confidence of the national coal community.
The review also identified some important challenges facing the program as it addresses the constantly shifting developments of the global energy market and air quality regulations. These include:
- The need for a carefully defined strategic plan, including quantified goals and timetables and regular assessments, makes it very difficult to measure achievement.
- Current operating budget levels appear to be too low to keep staff levels at “critical mass” and to support necessary program activities.
- OCDO needs to improve its capabilities in market research and energy economic analysis.
- Project selection and tracking after grant completion need to be improved to assure best use of limited resources.
- The need to produce and submit the statutorily mandated Ohio Coal Development Agenda to the Governor and General Assembly on a biennial schedule.
Finally, the Report examined broader issues and challenges regarding Ohio coal production. For example, what are the best ways to measure progress on production when so many major factors beyond our control have an impact on Ohio coal’s viability in the marketplace? This and other issues will be examined as OCDO’s Strategic Plan is developed in the coming months.
We believe the Ohio Coal Development Office has served the state well and will continue to play an important role, both statewide and nationally, on a variety of issues critical to Ohio’s future economic success. This Report provides us with excellent direction on how to move forward, and we are eager to help a good organization become even better.
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OCDO
