Pennsylvania Statutes Title 71 P.S. State Government § 669. Powers and duties of the Department of Commerce (Adm. Code § 2501-B)

(a) To administer and carry out the provisions of the Commerce Law.  1

(b) To take any other action authorized or required by this or any other law.

(c) To take such steps as it may deem advisable to promote the welfare of the mining and mineral interests of the Commonwealth, and the use of the mineral products of Pennsylvania.

(d) To conduct, or cause to be conducted, thorough and comprehensive research studies and research programs in the technology, the economics, and the methods of mining, preparing, transporting and the marketing of bituminous and anthracite coal and their by-products, and such other purposes as shall be deemed to be advantageous to the well-being and future of the bituminous and anthracite coal industry.

With the approval of the Governor, the department is authorized to enter into mutually satisfactory contracts or agreements with any person, firm, institution or corporation as well as any State or Federal agency which the department deems wise, necessary and expedient in carrying out its objectives, but the department, in so far as it is practicable, shall make such contracts or agreements with persons, associations and institutions located within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The department may, subject to the approval of the Governor, make grants to public and private scientific schools, institutions and associations which have the necessary existing research laboratory facilities for the accomplishment of its powers and, to this end, it may use any matching or donated funds available from the Federal Government, private or philanthropic concerns, associations and institutions.

(e) The department shall supervise the expenditure by the School of Mineral Industries of Pennsylvania State University of appropriations made for the purpose of conducting researches to discover a by-product for the use of anthracite and bituminous coal and to develop new scientific, chemical and other uses, and new and extended markets for anthracite and bituminous coal and its products.

The Commonwealth, through the department, shall have the right to accept and receive gifts, contributions, bequests and devises of real or personal property made by any person for the above purposes, which shall be designated as being for the use of the School of Mineral Industries of Pennsylvania State University to be expended by it under the supervision of the department.