"Tax-Cut Bill Includes Big Boost for Liquid Coal"

"The tax-cut bill that the House of Representatives [passed] late Thursday does more than prevent taxes from going up next year. It also provides some energy tax breaks, including a subsidy for producing liquid coal.

Environmental groups oppose the subsidy because of its impact on climate change. Making a liquid fuel from coal adds twice the global warming pollution to the atmosphere as gasoline does because it requires so much energy to produce.

The coal industry supports the measure, saying it would help build a coal-to-liquid fuel industry that would displace some foreign oil and ensure a growing market for coal."


Renee Schoof reports for McClatchy Newspapers December 16, 2010.

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"Renewable Industry Increases Giving, Will Benefit From Tax Package" (Greenwire)