Governor Brian Schweitzer of Montana has a blog diary entry on Daily Kos responding to questions from French energy blogger Jerome a Paris about Schweitzer's New York Times op-ed piece on synthetic fuels. This is the first case I'm aware of a major politician using blogs to communicate this way.
This is a great example of the power of blogs. Jerome a Paris asks intelligent, well thought out questions and Governor Schweitzer provides reasonably direct and detailed answers. The blog entries go much deeper on the advantages and disadvantages of coal-to-liquids than would likely happen on TV or other forms of traditional media. Everyone walks away better educated and informed.
The thread also does a nice job of summarizing the conversion of coal-to-liquid fuels using the Fischer-Tropsch process. For information on the energy and political angles on this, take a look at Frank Baitman's entries on IFTF's Energy and Environment blog.
I first saw this on the Oil Drum, which covers the peak oil debates.
can synfuels be used to replace home heating oil?
how much does a synfuel refinery cost ?
Posted by: thomas shea | February 27, 2006 at 12:18 AM
Is there and companies taking you serious about
going after this source of energy? If so are there any selling stock in this venture?
Posted by: Ferdinand C. Wint | February 27, 2006 at 01:19 PM
all of this coal to liquid seems a bit complicated compared to the making of alcohol from garbage. Why can't the govenor just give some major tax breaks to city dumps to make alcohol from the garbage? if nothing else the fuel made cold be used for winter heating, or converting vehicles to run it, or maybe even to fire a boiler to make electricity. I just don't get it.
Posted by: George Gow | March 05, 2006 at 09:54 PM