Pittsburgh-based Consol Energy Inc. and Houston-based Synthesis Energy Systems Inc. announced a joint venture Monday to build the first modern coal-to-liquid plant in the U.S. in Benwood, W. Va., so in three years Americans could pump into their cars fuel made from West Virginia coal, Joselyn King writes for The Intelligencer/Wheeling News-Register."This project has the potential to transform West Virginia from a major coal producing state to a national energy center as well," Consol Energy President and CEO J. Brent Harvey in a release issued by SES. "By converting some of our region's abundant, high-btu coal into gases and liquids, not only will we create economic value for the state, but we will help West Virginia become the linchpin of American energy security." (photo of Consol employee by Scott McCloskey, News-Register)
The estimated $800 million project, which could begin in a year if required permits are acquired, would produce 200 to 300 construction jobs, and the completed plant would employ 60 to 70. The plant will use SES' U-Gas technology to convert coal to gas. It is expected that the 'syngas' will help produce approximately 720,000 metric tons of methanol annually, which can be used as a feedstock for the chemical industry. The project is also expected to be capable of converting methanol production to approximately 100 million gallons per year of 87-octane gasoline.
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