April 14, 2007
 
Rahall: Formation of CTL Coalition Marks Start of America's Energy Independence for National Security
 
By HNN Staff, from Rep. Rahall news release
 
Washington, DC (HNN) -- Congressman Nick J. Rahall, D-WV, and other Members of Congress in support of coal-to-liquid technology joined representatives from the U.S. Air Force, industry and labor on Capitol Hill recently to unveil the National Coal to Liquids (CTL) Coalition, formed to help increase America's national security by decreasing its dependence on foreign oil, while also spurring development of coal-derived transportation fuels.
 
Coal-to-liquid technology creates a type of clean-burning, high-performing synthetic fuel through various conversion processes, which involve gasifying and liquefying the coal for use in existing engines.
 
The formation of this Coalition marks the start of an exciting new era for coal and its role in our national security. It also marks a renewed effort to wean our nation off of foreign oil – to help sever the bonds of unstable foreign regimes, and reduce the risk of being drawn into future wars over oil.
 
Coalition participants include: AFL-CIO Building and Construction Trades Department; AFL-CIO Industrial Union Council; Air Transport Association; American Short Line Rail Road Association; Association of American Railroads; Baard Generation LLC; DRKW Advanced Fuels LLC; Headwaters Incorporated; International Brotherhood of Boilermakers ; International Union of Operating Engineers; Laborers' International Union of North America; Owner Operator Independent Drivers Association; National Oil Heat Research Alliance; National Mining Association; Petroleum Marketers; Rentech Inc; Sasol Syntroleum Corporation;United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America; United Mine Workers of America and the Western Business Roundtable.
 
Rahall was recently a featured speaker at the inaugural U.S. Air Force Energy Forum, following which he announced that he will participate in a conference this summer in southern West Virginia to boost the development of CTL production plants with the newly formed national CTL coalition and the U.S. Defense Department, in particular the U.S. Air Force.