GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (AP) — A coal mine operator is hoping to build a plant to produce synthetic gas from coal waste in western Colorado.
The Daily Sentinel reports that Bowie Resources LLC's plan to build the plant near Paonia could help it add jobs after its coal mine was idled earlier this year.
The U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Fossil Energy website says gas can be produced by subjecting coal to heat and pressure instead of burning it directly. According to a permit revision application, the Bowie No. 2 Mine would use the gas to generate electricity or diesel and fuel oil.
According to the application, the process generates very little pollution. Supporting materials indicate that it would, however, emit carbon dioxide — the molecule considered the principal cause of climate change.