Can concept of clean coal be salvaged?

Study looks at method that drastically improves efficiency, cuts emissions
By Bryn Nelson
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27685081/

Researchers believe technology can salvage the idea of “clean coal” -- or at least try to get to a point if cleaner coal. Researchers at the University of Padova in Italy have started working on a new process for transforming coal into gas with more improved efficiency.
The new process will be better then conventional coal-to-gas, or gasification, techniques by 28 percent and release 22 percent less carbon dioxide. “Coupling the scheme to a coal-to-liquid process, the authors conclude, could yield 40 percent more synthetic fuel, release 32 percent less carbon dioxide and contribute to a 70 percent rise in overall energy efficiency,” article said.
http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/Cleaner-Coal-Technology-Key-Worlds/story.aspx?guid=%7BE56664EB-C30B-49C6-9392-4A9924297980%7D

Nov 13, 2008, GE Energy and the University of Wyoming announced an agreement to further cleaner coal technology.
Under the agreement, “GE and the university will develop the High Plains Gasification Advanced Technology Center to accelerate the commercial use of cleaner coal technology,” Business Wire Press Release said.

In the United States, coal supplies more than 50 percent of the country's current electricity needs. Coal is an abundant, low-cost, domestic, natural resource that continues to be a significant part of America's energy mix. Wyoming has become a leader in coal resources and can support a large portion of the nations energy needs and produces about 40% of all coal used in the United States to generate electricity.
Coal has been a part of America for better our worse since the being of the industrial revolution. So if the wells not broken, why fix it? On the other hand, should we just improve the well to make it give more water to more people? Why am I using water as an analogy for coal? I guess I am starting to accept the fact that large companies that support millions of coal workers should be a part of energy change to. Do you agree that we should be putting money into new coal technology or should the nation work in other cleaner areas and force everyone to change? I personally think any small improvements count for the time being. If Wyoming supplies 40% of coal for electricity we should be making sure, they are using the cleanest coal technologies available. I also feel its time for the big dogs in the industry to step down and let other energy effect company take over.