More on coal-to-liquids
Brian February 26th, 2007
This AP article says that Congressman Boucher has renewed his efforts to encourage investment in construction of coal-to-liquids conversion plants.
Not only would a greater use of coal-to-liquids technology help break our dependence on foreign oil, but it would also help the struggling economies of the coalfield communities in the Appalachia region.
The price of coal is pegged to the price of oil/gas
I live in Logan county, Wv coal country. I am 100% behind the ctl push. Our congressman Nick Rahall has introduced a bill in congress to promote ctl nationwide. I am also a member of the Logan Coal Venders Association and will will support this bill along with the Friends of coal organization.
I am thrilled at any effort to improve the coal industry. I feel that the industry as a whole has taken some undeserved blows by those so eager to push the global warming theory. I have not seen any reports on how the ctl process fits in to the picture here. With the future of coal looking so bleak I find myself questioning who does have our economic interests at heart. It is nice to see someone does.
Turning to coal to liquid fuel is not justified by your argument– It does nothing to alleviate long term reliance on foreign oil. Until America can at least control its consumption, if not reduce it, then once strong enough competition between coal for electrical generation and coal to liquid emerges, the cost of coal will rise to that of the previously relatively expensive oil that we were trying to be avoid in the first place.
Making patriarchial comments about how this venture could improve folks’ lives is also invalid. “Anytown: Coal Country” will never see the type of stability and growth afforded by places with more diverse economic bases. Encouraging more of the same just won’t cut it anymore.