Uh, Gary, the reason noone's started more research into getting oil from coal is that it's cheaper to get oil from oil. While we are too dependent on foreign sources right now, the price of oil has never been cheaper than now and could go up probably a lot and not raise the price of gas much compared to how much taxes and inflation have raised it since 1972. Look, I'm tired, and this is cypherpunks. I'm willing to discuss energy policy, etc., over on extropians@extropy.org anytime you're willing to fork over the money to access it (if I have time; I often don't). But anyway, you might want to check out that recent NOVA episode, "The World Is Full Of Oil." Phil