This publication provides a brief overview of the Energy Research and Development Administration's (ERDA) program to develop underground coal gasification (UCG) technology. The UCG program is part of ERDA's overall strategy to create energy choices for the future. Since UCG technology is not widely known, even to the technical community, general descriptions of the concept and its potential applications are included. For the reader interested in more detailed coverage, a three-volume set will be available: (1) Management Plan; (2) Technical Data Book; (3) Resources. The objective of ERDA's UCG program is to develop commercially viable, underground gasification processes for extracting energy from coal. Through government and industry joint participation, the technology will be developed, proved on a large scale, and transferred to the private sector; data will be provided to predict the economics of a commercial operation. ERDA's objectives and its support of national energy goals are shown.