Thomas measure called for increased use of liquid fuels from coal
NOELLE STRAUB Star-Tribune Washington bureau | Posted: Thursday, May 3, 2007 12:00 am
WASHINGTON - Although he says he supports the technology, Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., on Wednesday helped sink a measure pushed by Sen. Craig Thomas, R-Wyo., to increase the production of liquid fuels from coal.
Thomas accused Tester and other Democrats of failing to act on their words of praise for transportation fuels made from coal. But Tester said he couldn't support the amendment because it would have scuttled the entire bill to which it was attached.
Tester voted against the provision during a meeting of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee to assemble an energy package. The legislation contains measures boosting biofuels, energy efficiency and research and development on carbon capture and storage technology.
Thomas's amendment would have required 21 billion gallons of coal-based fuels to be used annually by 2022. The bill already had a provision mandating 36 billion gallons of biofuels by 2022. The amendment was defeated on a 12-11 party-line vote.
The Democratic and Republican heads of the Energy Committee had tried to prevent the coal-to-liquids issue from coming up during the panel's meeting. They wanted to pass a bill out of committee easily and deal with contentious issues, including that one, during debate on the Senate floor.
They reached a deal not to bring up coal-to-liquids or a renewable electricity standard that the Democratic chairman wanted.
But Thomas and Sen. Jim Bunning, R-Ky., brought up their amendment during the committee meeting anyway, saying debate should not be stifled.
"The bill we're talking about of course does not include coal and the new opportunities to change the process for developing coal, which would not only enhance our security but it would also reduce and help with the global warming situation," Thomas said. "I really think if we don't deal with one of our most abundant resources then we fail to deal with energy security."
He said he also supports alternative energy sources but that they won't be able to supply the energy needed in the next five to 10 years.
Tester spokesman Matt McKenna said he opposed the provision because "it threatened to derail the entire energy bill."
"He looks forward to working on legislation that will tap Montana's vast coal resources and create an abundant source of energy and good-paying jobs in Montana," McKenna said. "But Sen. Tester believes we must first pave the way for a sustainable and responsible future in coal development by ensuring the capture and storage of carbon emissions."
Environmentalists oppose the coal-based fuels because they would release greenhouse gases when burned.
Democratic Sens. Ken Salazar of Colorado and Byron Dorgan of North Dakota, who both express support for coal-to-liquids, also voted against Thomas's amendment. They said they would work with him to bring a version of it up when the legislation hits the Senate floor.
In a statement, Thomas criticized Democratic senators who said they support the technology for "not back(ing) up their words with action."
The Coal-to-Liquids Coalition praised Thomas and Bunning for their efforts.