A Bad Idea: MT Delegation entertains CTL Plant for Malmstrom Air Force Base

As reported by the Great Falls Tribune on Sept. 6th, Senator Max Baucus, Senator Jon Tester and Congressman Dennis Rehberg, recently met with a top U.S. Air Force official to discuss the possibility of a coal-to-liquids plant at Malmstrom Air Force Base in Great Falls. 

This new plan would use so-called “clean coal technology” to turn coal into jet and other types of fuel.  Senator Baucus was quoted by the Tribune as saying, “This new mission sounds very interesting and very promising, and if it’s done right with carbon sequestration, I think it would be a good fit for Great Falls.”

In another article from the Great Falls Tribune (Sept. 7, 2007), Senator Jon Tester asserted his support for the proposal, stating, "This could be a good opportunity to assign Malmstrom another critical role besides missile operations — becoming a leading pioneer in responsible energy development."

Congressman Rehberg said the project would enhance Malmstrom's role in the nation’s defense system and would address the need to secure a domestic energy supply.  Both Senators Baucus and Tester highlighted Montana’s abundance of coal and open lands, as well as the support of elected officials and community members to develop the energy. 

According to the article, the U.S. Air Force has expressed a goal of using synthetic fuels for half of its domestic aviation fuel by 2016. 

The statements of Montana’s congressional delegation ignore the fact that many citizens, scientists, economists and energy experts in Montana have serious doubts about coal-to-liquids technology. This type of fuel production is both economically unfeasible and a non-starter environmentally.

Most importantly, serious environmental and public health consequences can result from the effects of widespread coal extraction and carbon emissions from coal-to-liquids fuel, making its production a hazardous proposition for the environment. 

Montana has abundant, clean renewable energy sources, including wind, solar and cellulosic biofuels that are more deserving of funding for research and development in the state.   For more information on Montana’s clean, renewable energy sources, as well as information on coal-to-liquid fuels, visit:

NRDC - http://www.nrdc.org/globalWarming/coal/liquids.pdf
Western Organizations of Resource Councils: http://www.worc.org/issues/Coal/Coal.html
MEIC - http://www.meic.org/energy/coals-to-liquid-fuels/coal-to-liquid-fuels-conclusion
Northern Plains Resource Council:  http://www.northernplains.org/ourwork/energy/stripmining

Please contact the Montana Delegation and urge them to advocate the development of clean, renewable fuels and energy efficiency and conservation in ALL energy proposals, rather than an detrimental and unnecessary technology.

Senator Max Baucus | Senator Jon Tester |Representative Dennis Rehberg