Pick the right combination of ions to make your solvent and it is possible to dissolve coal, a wide range of plastics, many metals and even some rocks.

ECONOMIST: Ionic solvent

With respect to clean coal technology, it is not possible at this point to completely eliminate coal from the menu of our energy options.

WHITEHOUSE: Your Interview with the President

By contrast, Mitt Romney had favored a cap-and-trade system while he was governor of Massachusetts but he has since changed his mind and has done everything possible to curry favor with coal constituencies.

FORBES: Hurricane Sandy May Turn the Tide on Climate Change