You know, my life is pretty hectic these days – so many of the “hot topics” in the news have been lukewarm for me, since I haven’t had time to focus on them (unfortunately). But one thing that I just read about stopped me smack in the middle of a crazy day. I just read that Congress will be voting to approve the use of liquid coal as the newest form of fuel for use in our cars, trucks etc.

At first glance, it didn’t seem bad at all. Actually, it seemed pretty impressive. Coal is abundant, and there is now the technology to process coal to a liquid fuel. It would be a “cleaner” burning fuel, because many of the harmful pollutants can be removed in the process and therefore would pass even the new restrictions for diesel fuel.

This was sounding great! So I figured I’d do some more investigating. That’s when I saw the things that are most disturbing. First, the process of liquifying produces an inordinate amout of by-products that then must be disposed of. The most significant of which is Carbon Dioxide. In HUGE amounts. Not only will the production of it produce more, but so will burning it in our cars. Not good at all.

Second, coal mining is just terrible for our land, plain and simple. It destroys our gorgeous mountains – basically the only way to get the coal is to cut the mountain up, take the coal, and then do something with the slag that is left (which is usually just filling up valleys). The process is called Mountain Top Removal Mining. And that is what the industry calls it! Sounds terrible, doesn’t it?

So how can this be a GOOD thing? Well, it certainly would be good for the coal industry that has apparently been lobbying for it. But for us? Not so great. Especially since there are so many alternatives that aren’t getting enough attention.

Lee Iaccoca, in an interview on NPR, says his biggest regret was not paying more attention to hybrid technology. Can’t we stop destroying our surroundings to fuel this world? Can’t our government focus on renewable energies, rather than things that will ultimately ruin our surroundings? Regardless of your view on global warming, this is serious stuff. This is something that will literally tear up the natural beauty of this country. Sad, isn’t it?