For twenty five years, I've worked in the coal industry.  Most days, I try to reconcile the ill-effects of what I do with the obvious benefits that are demonstrable by flipping on the light switch.  Some days, I just feel sick.  When the original announcement of "cold fusion" was made back in 1989, my boss at the time -- a geologist and staunch defender of coal mining -- actually broke down and cried.  Thank God, he said.  Thank God we don't have to do this any more.

So I hope you'll understand when I say that I'm both very hopeful about  this article produced by an chemical engineer at MIT, but I'm also cautious.  I want to believe, but I don't want to be fooled that badly again.

Could it really be this simple?  Is abundant, pollution free energy waiting right below our feet?