By Shawn Allee, IL public radio
Chicago, Ill. – Southern Illinois congressman John Shimkus is testing the political waters for a new fuel technology involving the idea of putting coal in our cars.
It wouldn't be solid hunks of coal, of course. Shimkus is talking about turning coal into a liquid first.
It burns cleaner than gasoline, but it does emit carbon dioxide, which contributes to global warming.
Shimkus says his measure addresses that: "It says we're going to carbon capture and sequestration to diminish the effects of carbon dioxide and emissions of greenhouse gases.
"Which in this new environment that we are in Washington, that's a very important provision."
Shimkus refers to threats from Democrats to hold off on liquid coal until the carbon dioxide issue gets resolved.
Currently, South Africa burns liquid coal in buses and trucks, but it hasn't perfected carbon capture technology either.