Coal is Critical to our National Security

Barack Obama is trying to appeal to rural voters in Kentucky by running a coal ad that touts his accomplishment of helping secure funds for clean coal technology. (See Ad Here)  He is also planning on campaigning a bit in the Bluegrass State. I am little surprised he is but glad to see it. But I am not sure just how coal friendly Barack Obama really is, I hate to say that but it is true. 

We look at Saudi Arabia as the king of good light crude oil. Venezuela's heavier crude is becoming more coveted and is making that small country very rich. The United States is the Saudi Arabia of coal and our very future depends on providing cheap energy to America and then the world.

A study a few years ago weighed in on the possibility of the tap running dry in the Middle East and or soaring oil prices becoming a prelude to a bitter recession that could provide a death blow to part of our society as we know it. The impact on the economy would be devastating and then our national security situation becomes critical. But one light at the end of the tunnel was always our vast coal reserves and the possibility of new technology making it possible to find crude oil in once thought impossible places. The need for energy is paramount and demand is as high as it has ever been. Now we are hanging up our keys to the SUVs and talking Green, which is a good thing. Green is sexy, Green is in fashion. And coal is as demonized as it has ever been, which is not a good thing.

Clean Coal technology is possible, but it will not happen over night. The next President will, as usual, be challenged with some of the most awesome responsibilities known to man. He will be faced with historical world discontent, wars and rumors of wars will be as prevalent as California wild fires. Coal is as important as the US Army and or the Marine Corps, that is fact. But we need to make it cleaner to burn, that is also fact. Hopefully Obama will lead the charge and take clean coal technology seriously.   

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Comments

[Cyberhillbilly]

He's for converting it to fuel but he's against mining it here in Appalachia. Some deal.