P.S. I’ve read the break even price for coal to diesel is around $45/bbl of oil.
At the beginning of 2016, the national average price of natural gas was consistently below the cost of coal delivered to power plants, reaching a low point of about $16/MWh in March, while coal has averaged between $21/MWh and $23/MWh for the past two years.Nov 18, 2016
Coal to liquids based on the price of oil today is pretty damn close. However, the low price of natural gas actually keep oil prices low as opposed to the past little oil is used for generation of electricity. It is mostly natural gas closely followed by coal and distantly followed by nuclear energy. Natural gas and oil and coal are finite. However, coal is many times greater. Oil and gas will decline (not in my lifetime nor my children) and king coal will replace them. King Coal will eventually be replaced by nuclear or perhaps even fusion. It sure as hell will not be solar. Solar costs to damn much unless huge technological advances are made that reduce costs. I shall not even mention wind power as I do not do comedy.
It pains me greatly to see natural gas used to power electrical generation. It is the base product of most of our synthetics in chemistry. However industry is responding to rational market forces and these forces are far more logical and kind than government.