KY: Coal-to-fuel could mean new jobs

WFIE TV News

Turning coal into liquid fuel...it's a big plan for the Tri-State and it could mean new jobs.

Two private companies have announced plans to build a coal to diesel fuel plant in Muhlenberg County.

"It's got the public overwhelmed here with the possibilities of jobs of economic development," said State Representative Brent Yonts. 

82 new jobs will come once Fuel Frontiers and Kentucky Fuel Associates opens it's coal to diesel plant in the county.

Economic development specialist Kim Logsdon says it's just what Muhlenberg county needs.

"It's a plus and it just takes the infrastructure that we have, put together with some capitol and we're making things happen over there," Logsdon said.

Fuel Frontier's president says the plant would be located in Central City and eventually would produce 70 million gallons of diesel fuel a year.

State Representative Yonts says making one of Kentucky's most abundant resources useful is a good thing.

"This opportunity presents a new future for us to make coal king again here," Yonts said. "We have probably have a couple hundred year supply of coal, but it's down deep."

Other companies are looking at moving to Muhlenberg County after the coal to diesel plant's announcement.