Debate heats up in US over coal fuel for cars

Backers of coal-based liquid fuels say they can help reduce US dependence on imported oil. Critics contend the use of coal in any form would lead to increased greenhouse gas emissions and other harmful environmental effects.

In the House of Representatives, Virginia lawmaker Rick Boucher offered a proposal to establish price guarantees for liquid fuels from coal to encourage production.

“By using one of our nation’s most abundant natural resources, coal, to produce transportation fuels, we can address fuel cost concerns, make our nation less reliant on imports from politically unstable regions of the world and simultaneously benefit our domestic coal industry,” Boucher said.

physorg