I barely understand this (//%22http://www.greencarcongress.com/coaltoliquids_ctl/%22), but it looks nifty.
Underground Coal-Gasification, Coal-to-Liquids Fuel Project in Australia
Apparently you pump air into the ground at one end, and at the other you end up with diesel.
Here's another article about Syntroleum (//%22http://www.rednova.com/news/science/204623/syntroleum_sees_significant_domestic_coaltoliquids_opportunities/%22), they're going to do very well with this new energy bill, which includes a $1.6 billion allocation for research and development funding of clean-coal initiatives.