Coal's Many Friends (Forbes)

[jpak]

http://www.forbes.com/home/businessinthebeltway/2007/06/26/coal-energy-congress-biz-beltway_cz_ms_0627beltway.html

WASHINGTON, D.C. -

Before passing its colossal energy bill last week, the Senate rejected coal-to-liquid fuel subsidies. But don't expect coal breaks to stay buried for long.

A majority of 69 senators, including presidential candidate Barack Obama, D-Ill., actually voted for at least one of the two pro-coal amendments offered during last week's debate--one by Sen. Jim Bunning, R-Ky., and one by Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont.

Moreover, powerful interests, including the Air Force and the rail industry, are pushing for coal.

The Air Force? Yep, it's thirsty for alternative sources of transportation fuel. It uses an estimated 2.6 billion gallons of jet fuel a year, and that could increase if future military conflicts require more flying sorties (North Korea, Iran) and fewer ground troops (Iraq).

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[ramapo]

1. The rail industry?

Can't we find something better to transport via rail than coal? How about we get more trucks off the highways.