China May Halt Coal-to-Oil Projects

China is considering halting efforts to make oil from coal due to concerns about the expense and energy demands, a state news agency on Sunday quoted an official as saying.

China is hoping to ease its rising dependence on imported oil by promoting alternative energy sources such as oil-from-coal and solar, wind and nuclear power.

But scientists have warned that oil-from-coal projects produce large amounts of greenhouse gases.
China “may put an end to projects which are designed to produce petroleum by liquefying coal,” the official Xinhua News Agency said, citing an official of the country’s top economic planning agency who spoke on condition of anonymity.

“Liquefied coal projects consume a lot of energy, though the successful industrialization of liquefied coal could help reduce the country’s dependence on petroleum,” the official of the National Development and Reform Commission was quoted as saying Saturday.

Concern about the expense and water demands of such projects were also expressed, Xinhua said.

Scientists also say use of liquid coal could increase the total amount of greenhouse gases released because pollutants would be created during production and by burning the fuel.

Chicago Tribune