The objective was to assess the technical, environmental and economic feasibility of constructing and operating a methanol from coal plant in Ascension Parish, Louisiana. The complete grass roots facility, identified as the River Plant, is sited in Ascension Parish, Louisiana, approximately 26 miles southeast of Baton Rouge. The plant was designed to produce 3600 TPD of transportation quality methanol from Illinois No. 6 coal using the Texaco Coal Gasification Process. The River Plant has the potential of supplying a clean liquid fuel from high sulfur coal in compliance with environmental standards. The plant design incorporates current commercial technology. The results of the feasibility study indicate confidence in the plant design, the appropriateness of the plant site, and the commercial readiness of the selected technology. Under the present market conditions, prospects for construction of this pioneer plant are remote. Continuation of project engineering will be costly - an order of magnitude greater than those normally undertaken for projects in the sponsors'traditional lines of business. More importantly, the anticipated capital investment for this high risk project will be far greater than for projects normally considered in the sponsors'traditional lines of business. The projected returns on investment, on the other hand, are lower than those generally acceptable for projects routinely undertaken. Accordingly, price-value relationships would have to change considerably or new and more effective incentives will have to be in place before this project can proceed, as predicted profitability is presently not adequate to compensate for the degree of commercial risk.