If climate change were not (to my mind) an even more dire threat than production declines in petroleum, I'd be enthusiastic about the possibility that perhaps he's right. But $20 CTL would be a catastrophe beyond words. Our army of cars still running yet producing several-fold more CO2?

I mean, even entertaining the notion is bat sh*t crazy. Completely detached from reality. Unless... maybe the market will solve climate change too!! (yes, that's a joke. Though I'm sure there are plenty of people who would accept it on its face.)

I agree. I don't like CTL on enviro grounds. Would rather go straight to renewables. But a fact is a fact, on economic grounds alone CTL is cheaper. Personally I'd rather pay more and have a clean enviro. I just don't think the average man in the street feels like that and I am convinced most Asians dont think like that.