Coal to Liquid Conversion (Fall 2007)
Coal-to-liquid conversion (CTL) is a process that converts coal to a liquid fuel that could be used in conventional engines. It is promoted as a means to gain energy independence from foreign sources. However CLT would not produce any benefit for greenhouse gas emissions. And there are environmental problems associated with the requirement of large amounts of water and the removal of mountaintops. With its large coal reserves, southwestern Virginia is being considered as a site for plants using CTL technology. Congressman Rick Boucher, representing
southwestern Virginia, is listed as one of 31 co-sponsors of the Coal-to-Liquid Fuel Promotion Act of 2007 (H.R. 370).
According to an article by Beth Wellington, published July 27, 2007 on the Law and Technology Resources website, the energy bill proposed by Nancy Pelosi does not include a coal-to-liquid (CLT) component. However, fellow Democrats from coal and auto industry states, as well as members of the "Democratic Blue Dog Coalition,” are promoting the inclusion of measures such as CLT that would promote the domestic production of fossil fuels.
Coal companies are lobbying Congress for CLT subsidies in order to increase the value of coal deposits and preserve market share against other energy resources. The program would have a large impact on communities in southwestern Virginia.
For more information, see Beth Wellington's article at www.llrx.com/extras/coaltoliquid.htm.
To generate a letter to legislators, see www.ilovemountains.org.