[aculeus]

Pre WWII big northern cities like NYC got all their gas from coal. The gas was "baked" out of the coal. The leftover product, coke, was then marketed to home owners as fuel, Koppers Koke being the leading brand name.

The German Uboat attacks on the East Coast led to the construction of the Big Inch pipeline used to transport petroleum products (or possibly crude) during the war. The pipeline was converted to gas after the war and coal gas and Koppers Koke disappeared.

[BOBTHENAILER]

Interesting information, thanks for sharing it. Coal bed methane development throughout America has huge potential.

[capitan_refugio]

That process which you refer to is called "coal gasificiation." Coal, being a hydrocarbon fossil fuel, exudes natural gas. Tapping the gas given off by the coal can be an important local source of the "clean burning" fossil fuel.