House Hearing Explores Potential of Coal-to-Liquids Fuels

tripp · 09-06-2007, 11:52 PM

Quote:

Members of the US House of Representatives’ Science & Technology Committee’s Subcommittee on Energy and Environment held a hearing this week considering the policy and technological measures potentially needed if the US is to move forward with Coal-to-Liquids as an element of the nation’s energy strategy.[/b]

Full Article

Interesting testimony from several points of view. I find Romm's arguments compelling.

SSimon · 09-07-2007, 02:04 PM

Not knowing much about this technology, it appears that the main benefit from transitioning our current energy use to that of coal to liquid would be less reliance on foreign fuel. Other than that, there appears to be a consensus that this transition would not serve to benefit us when considering human cause GHG's, in fact use of coal to liquid may serve to increase same. Additionally, they're already making noise about the need for federal support to bring this technology to market.

What, in your opinion, is so favorable about this technology? I ask as there is only one benefit that I can see and maybe I'm missing something.

4futrgens · 09-07-2007, 03:17 PM

I don't like or support this technology for three reasons:

1. It stinks of politcians setting up to make more money by investing in this "quick fix" technology. <_<

2. More demand of coal-based technologies will only increase pressure for mountain blasting and mining. Coal workers today are increasingly facing dangers by their employers who refuse to spend on items that would increase their work safety. Cutting corners here and there will put more money into the pockets of the owners and investors while mining accidents increase.

3. It does not address climate issues.

tripp · 09-07-2007, 04:44 PM

I don't support this technology at all. I think it's a bad idea. It will basically double CO2 emission for the transportation sector. It's not even a quick fix. The only thing that this tech does is reduce our dependence on foreign oil. You could also make the argument that it creates a BTL infrastructure, but why not just use BTL from the get go? Cost, is the answer to that. No, CTL is horrifically bad. I posted the article because I think that the expert testimony was interesting. Even the proponents of the technology recognize the climate risks, which is a small silver lining.

I do think that BTL (Biomass to liquids) could be worth pursuing... it's carbon negative, apparently. It could provide us with plastic and petrochemical feedstock. The char left over is a good fertilizer.

4futrgens · 09-08-2007, 08:43 PM

I'll be happy to invest in a BTL company!! We need more green investors. Aren't there increasingly more financial companies offering green portfolios?

tripp · 09-09-2007, 11:38 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(4futrgens @ Sep 8 2007, 06:43 PM) [snapback]509278[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

I'll be happy to invest in a BTL company!! We need more green investors. Aren't there increasingly more financial companies offering green portfolios?
[/b]

Yes. Goldman & Sachs is one of them.

09-07-2007, 04:44 PM	#4
tripp Which it's a 'ybrid, ain't it? Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 3,724 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: #3 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 2	I don't support this technology at all. I think it's a bad idea. It will basically double CO2 emission for the transportation sector. It's not even a quick fix. The only thing that this tech does is reduce our dependence on foreign oil. You could also make the argument that it creates a BTL infrastructure, but why not just use BTL from the get go? Cost, is the answer to that. No, CTL is horrifically bad. I posted the article because I think that the expert testimony was interesting. Even the proponents of the technology recognize the climate risks, which is a small silver lining. I do think that BTL (Biomass to liquids) could be worth pursuing... it's carbon negative, apparently. It could provide us with plastic and petrochemical feedstock. The char left over is a good fertilizer. __________________ Cheers, Tripp 2005 Silver Pkg 3, OEM Block Heater, Coastal Tech EV mod, BT Tech Chassis Stiffener, hell damned infernal reverse beep disabled Boulder Real Estate Howay the Toon! "Sometimes when you aim for the stars, you hit the moon." -- Ian Holloway

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09-07-2007, 02:04 PM	#2
SSimon Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: N/W of Chicago Posts: 1,266 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #4 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 3	Not knowing much about this technology, it appears that the main benefit from transitioning our current energy use to that of coal to liquid would be less reliance on foreign fuel. Other than that, there appears to be a consensus that this transition would not serve to benefit us when considering human cause GHG's, in fact use of coal to liquid may serve to increase same. Additionally, they're already making noise about the need for federal support to bring this technology to market. What, in your opinion, is so favorable about this technology? I ask as there is only one benefit that I can see and maybe I'm missing something.

09-07-2007, 03:17 PM	#3
4futrgens Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 21 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I don't like or support this technology for three reasons: 1. It stinks of politcians setting up to make more money by investing in this "quick fix" technology. <_< 2. More demand of coal-based technologies will only increase pressure for mountain blasting and mining. Coal workers today are increasingly facing dangers by their employers who refuse to spend on items that would increase their work safety. Cutting corners here and there will put more money into the pockets of the owners and investors while mining accidents increase. 3. It does not address climate issues.

09-08-2007, 08:43 PM	#5
4futrgens Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 21 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I'll be happy to invest in a BTL company!! We need more green investors. Aren't there increasingly more financial companies offering green portfolios?