Coal-to-Liquid Fuel
“It’s not for national security, it’s for money. It’s for money for big oil and gas companies. They're robbing our great, great grandchildren of their heritage!”
-Sam Gilbert
Can a largely unused technology that has been around since the 1920s, using the world's dirtiest fossil fuel, be the solution to our energy problems and be good for people and the environment?
The answer is NO! Please read on to learn why coal-to-liquid fuel technology is bad for Kentucky, bad for the environment, and a waste of taxpayer money.
Click on the following links to learn more about the scheme to convert coal to a diesel-like liquid fuel and why it is not in our best interest to hand out millions of dollars to bring this expensive, regressive and highly polluting technology to Kentucky.
What is coal-to-liquid fuel?
Technology exists to turn coal into liquid diesel fuel, capable of powering trucks, planes and other vehicles. However, this technology represents the dirtiest and most expensive path Americans could take as we search for solutions to global warming and to reduce the harm caused by mining and burning coal.
What are its effects on the environment?
The Appalachian mountains are already under assault from mountaintop removal mining and other destructive mining practices. In recent decades, at least 1,200 miles of headwater mountain streams have been buried under valley fills created by surface coal mining and more than 400 individual mountains have been erased. The public outcry against such practices is growing, led by opposition from local community members, students, religious leaders, authors, musicians and many downstream residents. Legislation to prohibit mountaintop removal and valley fills is now under consideration in Congress and statehouses. According to that National Coal Council, if the U.S. were to replace just 10% of our transportation fuels with liquid coal, coal mining would need to increase by 40%.
Why is this situation so urgent?
It's not. With false promises of energy independence, coal companies have been lobbying at the state and federal level for the government to foot the bill for the production of coal-to-liquid facilities. Governor Fletcher wants to call lawmakers back to Frankfort for a special session this summer to pass a package of state tax incentives and subsidies to lure companies to Kentucky. Time is short for us to stop the state from paying out corporate welfare that we cannot afford.
How can we stop this?
Call your elected officials and tell them you do not support public subsidies for coal-to-liquid companies.
Click here for more information.
