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Increased production of CTLs in the United States would provide a number of benefits. Benefit: Cleaner Energy. CTLs are less polluting than traditional fossil fuels. According to the University of Kentucky:
Compared to ultra-low sulfur diesel as a transportation fuel, liquefied coal emits 60 percent fewer hydrocarbons per gallon,
10 percent less nitrous oxides, and
55 percent less particulate matter.
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Benefit: More Stable Energy Prices. Rentech, a primary U.S. patent-holder of the technology, produces CTL fuel in Colorado at a cost of $45 per barrel. Though this cost is comparable to the current price of crude oil, the price of American coal is less volatile. Price stability makes CTL a valuable option for certain transportation needs. According to a 2001 Energy Department study:
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The increased demand would still leave America with nearly 100 years of coal reserves — but the supply is even greater, since the FT process can utilize “junk” coal that is unusable for most purposes.
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Benefit: Clean Electric Power. CTL production discharges excess steam that can be used to produce electricity. Electricity produced as a by-product of CTLs is incredibly clean. Such power generators emit 41 percent to 78 percent less regulated pollutants than similar-size traditional fossil fuel-fired electric plants. For example:
A domestic product in plentiful supply. You're employing Americans, securing a domestically produced supply and right now it's cheaper than conventional oil. The greatest hurdle for this tech is an unstable oil market, if it drops below the $40 to $50 range you have a problem. That's why there is no private investment in this tech, just too risky.
High oil prices are not going away, this tech is coming at some point in time.
The wild card is technology. What if a car can get 100 mpg? How about improved battery technology that allows you to drive 200 miles on a five-minute charge. Sound impossible? That's what they'd say 50 years ago about a phone that would fit in your pocket, play 400 songs and take pictures too.
They actually are drilling in North Dakota. Natural gas is being harvested many places. At present the cost of converting your vehicle to Natural gas is excessive. Also, my 83 year old mother, though not a cyclist, walks several miles a day.
For now. The EPA is investigating fracking so soon that will be shut down I'm sure.
A domestic product in plentiful supply. You're employing Americans, securing a domestically produced supply and right now it's cheaper than conventional oil. The greatest hurdle for this tech is an unstable oil market, if it drops below the $40 to $50 range you have a problem. That's why there is no private investment in this tech, just too risky.
High oil prices are not going away, this tech is coming at some point in time.
The nazis converted coal to fuel during WWII to keep their tanks rolling. South Africa still uses coal to make fuel. With the price of oil like you say it is a very viable alternative but dumping a pile of money into it would be risky.
The wild card is technology. What if a car can get 100 mpg? How about improved battery technology that allows you to drive 200 miles on a five-minute charge. Sound impossible? That's what they'd say 50 years ago about a phone that would fit in your pocket, play 400 songs and take pictures too.
You better ramp up the war machine to get your rare earth elements to make your car batteries. EPA shut our mining down. Well it finally started back up but had been shut down for ten years. China is hoarding theirs. The green cars will be driving on blood if you folks get your way.
The left is stopping us from harvesting our own natural resources and they are against protecting foreign energy reserves.
Wind is killing birds and solar is being purchased form China.
What do we do?
Do what you're going to be ultimately doing anyway.
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