I have been asking why the US has not jumped on the OLD technology for years. Living in WV and having coal spill out of the side of some hills I wondered why we have not used this process. Cost was the factor for a long time but security of the US is now a bigger factor. I'd pay more for a gallon of coal based fuel form WV, refined in WV with the money going to US workers than send cash overseas. There are a number of refineries being built, at last, in Wv and the US by companies making diesel and jet fuel, which is a more cost effective process. But imagine if we could supply 50% of the fuel for planes and truck from US sources.??? This is ONE of the reasons for the fall in oil prices...the high prices made alternative fuels viable. I hope low prices don't allow us to forget that we need alternatives.
The USA is the Saudi Arabia of coal. The US has some of the largest coal reserves in the entire world.
If petroleum ran out in the rest of the world, the US would be able to keep its economy growing and moving smoothly forward for over a century simply by using its enormous coal reserves.
One-half of your electricity consumption comes from coal. Coal is great. We need to use more of it.
I hope low prices don't allow us to forget that we need alternatives.
An approximation of a quote I read in Forbes back in May/June: "The optimum pricing pattern for oil is $100 ... $100 ... $10... $100... $100..." Just when alternative energy business begin to spool up due to high oil prices, the price of oil plummets to squash any investment activity in alternatives. Sound familiar? It's a shame that our business leaders are so short-sighted.
Just when alternative energy business begin to spool up due to high oil prices, the price of oil plummets to squash any investment activity in alternatives.
Well, what that means is that these so-called "alternatives" are no alternative unless one is happy to pay double-treble-quadruple energy costs which impact working-class people more than anyone else.
An alternative is only an alternative when it comes at a comparable cost.
Well, what that means is that these so-called "alternatives" are no alternative unless one is happy to pay double-treble-quadruple energy costs which impact working-class people more than anyone else.
An alternative is only an alternative when it comes at a comparable cost.
So when my doctor tells me I can get an alternative drug from that which he prescribed in a generic brand it will cost the same. You can travel from New York to Los Angeles by air, but an alternative mode of transportation could be bus, train or private automobile. Alternatives are options, some are better than others, generally; they usually have one benefit in common and other than that, cannot be equated. If synthetic fuel from coal is an alternative to dependence on foreign oil, we should explore that option.
Last edited by Dunerunner; 12-09-2008 at 11:54 PM.
If oil runs out and the USA becomes a CPEC (coal producing and exporting country), we could charge the mid-eastern countries what they had charged us for oil?
Well, what that means is that these so-called "alternatives" are no alternative unless one is happy to pay double-treble-quadruple energy costs which impact working-class people more than anyone else.
An alternative is only an alternative when it comes at a comparable cost.
And, many alternatives are profitable at $50 - $60 per barrel of oil average, but not if oil drops to $20/barrel. Forbes' point was that alternatives are profitable at what seem to be new accepted price per barrel averages, but sudden precipitous drops in the price per barrel scare off potential investors. One reason oil companies are loathe to invest billions in new infrastructure that will take years to recoup is that they remember $20 oil from the '90s when gas cost less than a $1 a gallon. No one wants to be left holding the bag if oil prices plummet. Who would have guessed that oil would have hit nearly $150/barrel and then less than 6 months later be a third of that price? But, we need some risk takers who believe that oil will remain at or above $50-$60/barrel (on average) and plan accordingly.
The AutoGuide.com network consists of the largest network of enthusiast-owned enthusiast-operated automotive communities.
AutoGuide.com provides the latest car reviews, auto show coverage, new car prices, and automotive news. The AutoGuide network operates more than 100 automotive forums where our users consult peers for shopping information and advice, and share opinions as a community.
1976 Rover Mini
2003 Chevrolet Corvette Z06
2007 Mercedes-Benz E320 Bluetec (SOLD)
2009 smart Passion (Gone)
2011 smart Passion
Lucky
Pearl Baby
XCAPEPOD
It's a shame that our business leaders are so short-sighted.
Today
Linear Mode
