Scientists find way to make cheap gas from coal

[Craftsman]

It could be a boon for the Canadian prairies.

Researchers in Texas say they have found a way of cutting the cost of producing gasoline by two thirds, taking advantage of the lowest grade of coal available - one that is abundant beneath the Canadian prairies.

A new refining process being perfected at the University of Texas at Arlington can turn the low-cost lignite coal, also known as brown coal, into oil at a fraction of the cost of importing crude oil from abroad.

“We're improving the cost every day,” Rick Billo, the school's dean of engineering, told a local television station.
http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Environment/2010/02/22/12980701-ap.html

[leveymg]

1. Coal gasification is filthy - worse CO2 emissions than petroleum.

No go.

[Craftsman]

2. There money to be made, big money

And coal interests are really pushing this. And this article is from Canada, their coal industry is excited by it. So even if it is a "no go" here it does not mean it will be in Canada or say China.

[Craftsman]

3. dup

[liberal N proud]

4. Another excuse to tear down the mountains.