NO substance in America has been more demonized in the last year, nor revealed as more necessary, than coal. Liberals - and competing energy producers - condemn it as filthy.
But it's clear the nation needs coal if it is to shake its economic dependence on oil-producing dictatorships.
In a new ad, Republican Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito pointed out that America's coal reserves are kryptonite to the oil cartel, and can be used to cut this nation's dangerous dependence on foreign and often hostile energy producers.
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NO substance in America has been more demonized in the last year, nor revealed as more necessary, than coal. Liberals - and competing energy producers - condemn it as filthy.
But it's clear the nation needs coal if it is to shake its economic dependence on oil-producing dictatorships.
In a new ad, Republican Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito pointed out that America's coal reserves are kryptonite to the oil cartel, and can be used to cut this nation's dangerous dependence on foreign and often hostile energy producers.
The ad begins by showing Hugo Chavez of Venezuela, Moammar Gadhafi of Libya, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of Iran and King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia. They represent four of the 12 nations that make up the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries.
They also head repressive regimes that use their oil profits to remain in power and in some cases, to support terrorism against Americans.
Capito wants the nation to fight back - with coal.
"Our nation's coal reserves are larger than the combined oil reserves of the rest of the world, and I just introduced a bill that mandates a dramatic increase in the production of clean coal to liquid fuel," Capito said in the ad.
"Wanna see OPEC sweat? Then it's time to show them the power of West Virginia coal."
She's right. The coal reserves of the United States dwarf the oil reserves of Saudi Arabia.
West Virginia coal provides essential electricity. Half the nation's electricity comes from coal.
But coal-to-liquid plants could help meet the demand for gasoline in the United States. Nearly 9 million barrels of oil a day are used to produce gasoline in the United States.
Reducing that amount would help reduce America's reliance on foreign oil.
Capito has another ad that calls for the United States to permit drilling offshore. For pity's sake, Cuba may soon drill for oil near Miami, which is only 90 miles from Cuba.
A Republican Congress in 1995 passed a bill that would have lifted restrictions on offshore oil. President Clinton vetoed it.
Had he not, American oil would be flowing today, and gasoline prices might be lower.
America can reduce its dependence on foreign energy sources. But it will take clear thinking.
And coal.