Guest opinion from Gov. Brian Schweitzer: Montana coal can help fuel America’s future

I have a passion for energy.

I especially like energy sources such as ethanol, wind power, biodiesel and others that are clean, affordable and can be made in America. So when earlier this year a top Pentagon official told me of the military’s interest in using clean-burning diesel fuel made from coal rather than oil, I was all ears.

By BRIAN SCHWEITZER
Montana Governor

Most people are surprised to learn that the technology to turn coal into fuels like diesel, gasoline and jet fuel has existed for 80 years, but it is true. The process was used in America as early as 1928. The largest applications of coal-to-liquids fuel production were notorious: Germany in the 1940s and South Africa during apartheid. Both made their synthetic fuel, or "synfuel," out of coal when the world would not sell them oil.

Today, South Africa produces 150,000 barrels a day of clean gasoline out of coal. Fuels made from coal have remarkable properties: They burn cleaner and perform better than petroleum fuels, and require no engine modifications.

Full Opinion: http://www.billingsgazette.com/index.php?id=1&display=rednews/2005/09/25/build/opinion/30-guest-opinion.inc

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Coal rush – Montana Gov. Schweitzer’s plan to convert coal to gas http://www.matr.net/article-15964.html

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