We have earlier documented how some major oil companies hold as proprietary advanced processes for converting our coal into liquid fuel. Exxon-Mobil, with their "MTG" - methanol (from coal)-to-gasoline - technology among them. Some of those technologies are being reduced to commercial practice in other countries, as we have documented, but not in the US.
We also reminded you of the 1970's-era Ohio Valley Synfuel plant, which was to convert WV coal into oil, but which shut down, amid many rumors that "Big Oil" was behind the closure, very shortly after it was commissioned.
Now, independent observers in other nations are commenting on the fact that "Big Oil" is what's standing between the United States and liquid fuel independence based on coal. And, they're somewhat pleased by the fact that our CTL efforts have so far been thwarted, for whatever reason, but express the fear of some that we will "wake up", invest in CoalTL, and put a just end to unfriendly nations' control of oil supplies, and subsequent undo influence on international policy and financial markets.
You don't have to read too deep between the lines to discern the message the Indian commentator in this article is attempting to transmit.
An excerpt:
"The Coal-to-Oil conversion is discussed in the blog of The Indic View. The comments were though not very encouraging. The techno-leader USA also might come into business with its' huge coal-reserves.
It is often said that India has all resources except the energy resources. But, after studying these, I conclude that we need to understand that there are a lot to come in energy market, and only a research oriented approach can take us to the place where a big country like India deserves to be.
The other conclusion might be a bitter truth. It's very difficult to dry out USA, even if the entire Gulf goes against them. It might lead Iran to think twice before they start talking about war and possible shortage of oil. If the gulf-oil is cut, it will probably strengthen the US grip on the world, because, it will then invest in these areas where they haven't done earlier."
It is often said that India has all resources except the energy resources. But, after studying these, I conclude that we need to understand that there are a lot to come in energy market, and only a research oriented approach can take us to the place where a big country like India deserves to be.
The other conclusion might be a bitter truth. It's very difficult to dry out USA, even if the entire Gulf goes against them. It might lead Iran to think twice before they start talking about war and possible shortage of oil. If the gulf-oil is cut, it will probably strengthen the US grip on the world, because, it will then invest in these areas where they haven't done earlier."
So, it's "not very encouraging (that the) USA also might come into (the oil-making) business with its' huge coal-reserves".
And, a, for this Indian writer, "bitter truth" : "It's very difficult to dry out USA - (someone, by implication, wants to - JtM) - even if the entire Gulf goes against them. ... Iran (will) think twice (because) .. If the gulf-oil is cut, it will probably strengthen the US grip on the world, because, it will then invest in these areas".
If it isn't clear, Mike, by "these areas" this commentator means the technologies for converting our vast reserves of coal into liquid fuel. Nations who would rather see us weak and impoverished, enslaved, don't want us to invest in those. Shouldn't that strengthen our resolve, our national will, to do precisely that?
Coal-to-Liquid fuel conversion technology is practical and real; so practical and real that the people out there who don't really like us all that much, but who rely on us to finance their lavish lifestyles and military adventures, are very afraid we will wake up, at last, to the fact of just how practical and real CoalTL is.