Ralph Hall: “In our drive towards energy independence, we cannot exclude one of our greatest natural resources. I am a fossil fuels…”

“In our drive towards energy independence, we cannot exclude one of our greatest natural resources. I am a fossil fuels guy. I am from Texas, and I am for fossil fuels, but I also know the value of coal. Coal must continue to be part of our energy portfolio, along with alternative fuels and renewable fuels. The Republican motion to recommit recognizes this fact, and I thank you for it. It ensures that coal is going to continue to have a place at the table by clearly defining coal-to-liquids as an alternative fuel and including ultra low sulfur diesel derived from coal-to-liquids in the bill. The U.S. is in no danger of running out of coal. At current consumption rates, U.S. recoverable coal reserves are estimated to last for 250 years. The U.S. currently has over a quarter of the world's recoverable coal, more than Russia, over twice the amount of China. This compares to the U.S. oil reserves that are 2 percent of the world's total natural gas which are 3 percent of the world's total. We have plenty of coal. Actually, coal reserves are spread also over 38 of your States. Thirty-eight of you there have coal, and it is important to you. I would just say this. John McKetta, noted author and writer from the University of Texas, said 14 years ago, We have enough coal in the mid-section of the United States to double the total output of the OPEC Nations all combined if we could but mine it.”