Energy Security
Coal-to-Gas Can Ease Reliance on Imports
America's use of natural gas is outpacing supply, causing soaring natural gas prices that threaten to slow economic growth and hurt our standard of living. Natural gas prices are five times higher than they were at the dawn of the 21st Century and have doubled this past year. That creates tough conditions for American families.
A Continued Imbalance Is Forecast in U.S. Gas Supply and Demand
Source: Energy Information Administration, Annual Energy Review 2003, 1970-2000; Annual Energy Outlook 2007 Reference Case, 2005-2030.
Secure and abundant clean coal is the energy solution that can be transformed into pipeline quality synthetic natural gas, providing a compelling coal-based alternative that will drive down energy costs and contribute to energy security.
Fast Fact
Since 2004, China has started up 29 gasification facilities as one element of a national policy to reduce its dependence on imported petroleum for the production of chemicals and fertilizers… but there hasn’t been a new gasification plant in the United States since 2002.
Technology can convert coal to a pipeline-quality natural gas that could replace natural gas used for electricity generation or other industrial uses. The coal gasification process also allows for the production of hydrogen, capable of fueling the cars of tomorrow and reduces greenhouse gas emissions suspected of contributing to the problem of climate change.
According to the Gasification Technologies Council, gasification has been used for more than 50 years by a range of industries to create a variety of products. More than 400 gasifiers are currently in use in some 138 facilities worldwide and there are 19 operating gasification plants in the United States.
onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/gasificationOrg'); "Click here to learn 10 things about gasification.