Coal-to-Liquid — Plan pushes energy independence

A new energy plan proposed by Gov. Joe Manchin that seeks the development of five coal-to-liquid plants in West Virginia by 2030 is crucial to the future of the state.

The coal-to-liquid, or CTL, plants, are part of several goals included in the governor’s energy plan called “West Virginia Energy Opportunities: A Blueprint for the Future Resources of Economic Growth and Energy Security.” The plan was first discussed during a recent regional meeting of governors in Roanoke.

The proposal seeks the development of an energy policy that aims to achieve energy independence by 2030. It includes all forms of feasible energy technologies from clean coal, to coal liquefaction, to natural gas and wind and solar power.

According to the report, the state’s goal of displacing 1.3 billion gallons of oil annually by 2030 could be met with the creation of five CTL plants. Providing the coal to support the five plants could lead to a 15 percent increase in annual coal production.

When there is an increase in coal production, all of southern West Virginia and the entire Mountain State benefits. If there is an increase in coal committed to CTL plants, the traditional needs for West Virginia coal would still have to be met, according to Jeff Herholdt, acting director of the state Division of Energy.

The increased demand for coal would push coal production, which would benefit the coal-producing counties of southern West Virginia.

According to the plan, a long-term solution to meeting the state’s energy needs would involve a combination of three energy opportunity areas. Those include an enhanced production of fossil energy sources including advance coal technologies, renewable energy development and energy efficiency.

It is estimated that we are now consuming approximately 85 million gallons of oil a day, according to Herholdt. That’s a staggering statistic that certainly begs the question of whether the world’s oil resources can continue to accommodate such an overwhelming demand. It also presents a renewed argument for new energy sources, including coal-to-liquid.

While ambitious in its scope, we certainly applaud the governor’s blueprint for energy independence in the Mountain State. It is a plan that could reap tremendous benefits for the coal-producing counties of southern West Virginia, and is a step in the right direction for solving the nation’s energy needs.