The Victorian government has allocated $16 million to Brown Coal Innovation Australia (BCIA), and statements from the new research organisation reveal that a “skills shortage is impeding the development of clean coal technology” in the country, according to a report by ABC Gippsland Vic.

BCIA is an independent company established to manage these new funds and has a board appointed from industry and research organisations. Its first board meeting was held mid-January this year.

There are, however, not currently enough engineers, scientists and geologists to drive carbon capture and storage research, says Gerry Morvell, chairman of the BCIA board. It is a significant goal of the organisation to attract more people to the sector.