Kabud, Frankly, I am unable to find the actual production cost of Methanol, except in euro’s from a Swedish study, which means little to me. The cost for oil shale production is around $75-80 barrel, perhaps more. But it is no where near the cost we are paying per barrel at current market for pumped oil from OPEC.
Additionally, if you have read my posts at www.knoyd.com, you will see that I am a big proponent of coal to liqued fuel, which for all intents and purposes, is the production of methanol. Coal is a perfect source for methanol, and with 250 years of coal reserves, absolutely, this would be a great opportunity.
The bigger factor, however, is independence and security:
According to www.knoyd.com (“Drill and Mine US Oil–Buy and Refine US Oil!, copyright 2008),
US Energy Independence and Security comes from a three-fold mission:
The United States of America…
1. …has a divine destiny to defend democracy in every nation that currently embraces democracy, and promote democratic principles where tyranny and dictatorship runs supreme. This cannot be accomplished while the US is beholden to the very tyrants against whom it fights.
2. …has energy, whether from oil, bio-mass, coal, or nuclear power, as the life-blood of the US economy. The effects of skyrocketing fuel cost have a direct impact on the affordability of food, clothing, and shelter for every citizen, rich or poor. We must bring down the price of energy without further delay.
3. …energy policy plays a vital role in the creation of thousands and thousands of jobs. The oil shale fields alone can produce enough oil to replace our current imports and do so for 240 years. This is a minimum of 5 generations of employment for families in CO, UT, and WY. We have 250 years of coal supplies that can be converted to liquid fuel, and produce thousands of jobs.
It is time for liberal politicians to severe ties with fascist, economy-wrecking, pseudo-environmental groups and begin to do what is in the best interest of the whole of the citizens of the United States. It is time for conservative politicians to stand and make a very vocal demand for energy independence and security. And it is time for every citizen to follow in the footsteps of Patrick Henry and declare that “Should I keep back my opinions at such a time, through fear of giving offense, I should consider myself as guilty of treason towards my country, and of an act of disloyalty toward the Majesty of Heaven, which I revere above all earthly kings.” (Patrick Henry, 1775, House of Burgesses)
