During the course of the program, a data base was established for six eastern oil shales, including geological characterization and the determination of hydroretorting characteristics. Conceptual commercial plant designs were developed for each shale and the potential environmental impact of a commercial hydroretorting plant in Putnam County, Tennessee was evaluated. Various concepts for improving the process efficiency of moving-bed hydroretorting and increasing resource utilization were investigated. When circumstances warrant, the data obtained during this program will provide an adequate basis for the design of a moving-bed hydroretorting demonstration plant for the eastern oil shales studied, which represent the major portion of the surface mineable eastern oil shale resource. 5 refs., 3 figs., 28 tabs.