This article on the viability, environmental impact, and potential utility of Gov. Schweitzer's coal-to-oil plan is interesting stuff. The basic argument is that we can convert the unbelievable quantities of coal beneath Montana into an oil source for about $35 a barrel, and do so without destroying the environment. The major downside is that other countries may not deploy the technology necessary to keep the transition clean. At any rate, ideas like this do promise to make the changeover from oil less disastrous than some have predicted: so long as we have options, we have breathing room. In any case, interesting, encouraging stuff.
