KELLY: Coal's energy potential

Yes coal has great potential for liquid transportation fuels. So does compressed natural gas for a transportation fuel at a cost for less than gasoline and even CTL's The technology already exists. CNG beats hybrid cars etc. It just does not have political clout and and ways for promoters to make money.

Liquid fuels are available from any number of economically viable alternatives to petroleum, including coal, oil shale, ethanol from sugar cane. Just beginning good faith efforts to exploit those resources would rein in speculation and put a major dent in oil prices. Unfortunately, the greedy band of lawyers and bureaucrats running this country know very little about chemistry or economics.