"Coal is too expensive to transport for export". Seriously?
The United States exports over 60 million tons of coal each year.
"Good luck basing our economy on coal."
China is building one new coal fired power plant each week. The OECD projects China's economy to grow 8.3% this year -- while the rest of the world is mired in a recession. China's entire economy is based on coal.
Warren buffet just bet the entire future of Berkshire Hathaway, his life's work, on coal -- BNSF is the prime mover of US coal exports to China.
You really have no clue about hydrocarbons.