[D Rider]

You are exactly correct. But if you look at it as a system, it couldn't be further from the truth. Coal is with us. It is extremely cost effective. Running it steady state reduces the scrubbing. Taking excess generation to produce clean oil would also need to be added into the equation. The same could be done with nuclear, but that may be a bridge too far. But at that point coal would not be burned, but would be used as a base material to generate clean oil.

On another related topic...Petroleum as a fuel source for vehicles is extremely clean when compared to electric due to batteries anther losses...etc. But that is another discussion.

[Sequoyah101]

I’m very skeptical about coal NOT being burned or somehow heated with some source of energy to make “clean” oil. Even if you merely heat coal there is a lot of by-product waste to be dealt with.

I say “clean” oil because it is just not clean burning. There is always a by-product to burning. Small maybe, but always a by-product.

I do not want to slice at small amounts or points but just want an honest discussion.

Running steady state or not. What is not fuel is waste and it is irreducible.