Why The Coal-To-Liquid Fuel Alternative Is 'Unacceptable'

"There is a rule for judging solutions to the twin problems of energy dependence and global warming: A policy designed to solve one problem should not make the other worse. But that is a likely outcome of the many "energy independence" bills circulating in Congress that aim to build a whole new generation of coal-to-liquid plants to convert coal into automotive fuel."

from SF Chronicle:

"In Congress, Democratic and Republican lawmakers from coal states like West Virginia, Kentucky, Montana and Illinois are advocating a crash program to develop coal-to-liquids, in which coal is converted into synthetic gasoline or diesel. Even presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., is a supporter..."

from NYT editorial:

"The technology to convert coal into liquid fuels is well established. But it is also true that between the production process and burning it in cars, coal-to-liquid fuel produces more than twice the greenhouse gas emissions as gasoline and nearly twice the emissions of ordinary diesel. These are terrible ratios."

"According to the Environmental Protection Agency, coal-based automobile fuel would still be marginally dirtier than ordinary gasoline and only marginally cleaner than conventional diesel."

"Researchers at M.I.T. estimate that it will cost $70 billion to build enough coal-to-liquid plants to replace 10 percent of American gasoline consumption. A similar investment in biofuels like cellulosic or sugar-based ethanol - which could yield substantial reductions in greenhouse gases - would seem a lot smarter."

Thanks to Anne Ehrlich via Sierra Club Global Warming Forum