Missouri Coal in Perspective

Missouri\u27s coal resource base of 49 billion tons is part of the 132 billion ton coal resource base of the Western Interior Coal Region of Missouri, Iowa, Kansas, Arkansas and Oklahoma. The energy content of this coal resource base is 2,600 quadrillion Btu, more than the amount of energy contained in all the petroleum produced to date in the United States. This large energy resource cannot remain ignored in a time of energy crisis such as the present. It is recommended that research efforts be stepped up that will permit recovery of energy from the thin, high sulfur seams of the Western Interior Region. It is recommended that research focus on (1) developing desulfurization and coal conversion technology to allow the use of high sulfur coal in compliance with environmental standards (2) lowering production costs (3) developing technology which will allow the mining of thin seams and deep coal and (4) improving reclamation methods. Conversion of coal to low-Btu gas or solvent-refined coal and in-situ gasification of coal are considered to be especially important research areas. Research facilities should be located in the Western Region to facilitate application of the results to mining conditions and coal characteristics prevailing in the region. Missouri, with the greater share of the Region\u27s coal, is a likely candidate for research facilities to be established in the region