Thursday, October 13, 2005

Coal-to-Diesel Issues

From the Billings Gazette: "Contrary to claims by Gov. Brian Schweitzer, a large coal-to-liquid fuels plant in Montana would be a major polluter and wouldn't do much to offset foreign fuel imports, says a memo prepared for one of the state's leading conservation groups.

"The memo, prepared for the Northern Plains Resource Council, says a plant the size being promoted by the governor would create thousands of tons per year of sulfur dioxide, carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, solid waste and other pollutants - as well as use huge amounts of water."

Read the Northern Plains Resource Council memo for more details.

Governor Schweitzer's perspective on "coal-to-liquids" technology is available on the state website.

Background information on the Fischer-Tropsch process and "clean coal" initiatives is available on the EPA and Department of Energy websites.

Sources: "Memo: Coal-to-fuels process big polluter." Billings Gazette October 12, 2005.
"Coal Rush." Missoula Independent October 6, 2005.

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