They say that necessity is the mother of all invention. In World War II, both sides worked to invent new weapons and devices. For instance, the world’s first jet and rocket propelled aircraft were developed during the war. The atomic bomb was invented and the British invented the magnetron which is still used today in microwave ovens.

 

In fact, many of the innovations of World War II have led directly or indirectly to products and technology still used today. One of the problems that Germany faced was that it had no petroleum, but plenty of coal. Franz Fischer and Hans Tropsch invented a process to turn coal into liquid. Germany ran its entire war effort on coal to liquid fuels.

 

Fast forward to the year 2007, where the United States has the largest supply of coal in the world, but less petroleum than other parts of the world. I support ending our dependence on foreign sources of energy. I believe that coal can play a role in increasing the amount of American energy that is produced.

 

Missouri is the Saudi Arabia of coal. I have often talked about the importance of including clean coal in our mix of resources. I also believe that we should take a look at coal to liquid fuel. That is why I have signed onto a bi-partisan bill to help make Coal to Liquid a reality.

 

We must take a second look at all of our resources in order to break our dependence on foreign sources of energy.

 

#  #  #