The project is certainly important.
The message it sends is even more so.
The Mingo County Redevelopment Authority held a ground-breaking ceremony recently for the new $3 billion TransGas Development Systems coal-liquefaction plant. Construction of the plant, called Adams Fork Energy, is expected to begin in July.
Officials say the project should be completed and producing gasoline by 2015 and should be in full production by 2016. The New York-based company said the plant will convert 7,500 tons of regional coal a day into 756,000 gallons of premium gasoline — about a third of the amount of gas used in West Virginia each day.
U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin said the message is critical — the United States is working toward becoming energy independent. …
It’s no secret that the United States has struggled badly when it comes to developing an effective energy policy. From the Arab oil embargo of 1973, there has been periodic talk about moving toward energy independence in the U.S., particularly during periods when the price of oil spikes. However, concrete, long-term action has been sorely lacking.
Could the Mingo County project be a sign of a positive change? …
Looking toward the future, North Central West Virginia would be a great location for a second coal-to-gas plant — perhaps the former Sharon Steel site in Fairmont. …
One project, certainly, is not going to solve America’s energy challenges. The country needs a total package, utilizing what we have and researching for the future, to fulfill energy requirements needed to survive and thrive.
‘‘We need to come together on a comprehensive energy plan that is environmentally responsible, but that also relies on a mix of our nation’s best resources: coal, natural gas, wind, solar power, biomass and nuclear energy,’’ acting Gov. Earl Ray Manchin said. … We need to continue drilling domestically, increase our country’s refining capacity, and develop more alternative fuel sources that are ready to go right away — like natural gas and coal-to-liquid fuels. …
We’ll be eager to watch in coming years in hopes the TransGas Development Systems project will help push the country in the direction it needs to go.
See article here.
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