[LucianOfSamasota]

recycling carbon dioxide emissions in powerplants: Instead of being released into the atmosphere, carbon dioxide would be circulated through a copper catalyst and turned into methane — which could then power the rest of the plant.

I guess I'm missing the point. Thermodynamics requires MORE energy to convert CO2 into methane than can be produced by converting (combustion of) methane back into CO2 and H2O. The total mass of carbon remains constant. So how does this help?

[Red Badger]

I guess the point is the carbon never leaves the plant.?..........

[thackney]

I guess I'm missing the point.

Actually, you got the point. The author is counting on the 99% that read the article and never understand that point.

They hope you will flood the phone banks of your congress representative to fund this important research.

No different than the chasing of hydrogen fuel for the exact same reason.

[muawiyah]

Quick ~ somebody work this out ~ Coal + Air =, then we take the CO2 and convert that to Methane ~ then we burn that again. Remember to account for the additional O from the atmosphere.