Coal log pipeline (CLP) technology, invented and patented in the United States in 1990, has undergone extensive research and development at the Capsule Pipeline Research Center, University of Missouri-Columbia. Areas explored thoroughly involve capsule flow hydrodynamics, compaction of coal logs, wear of coal logs in the pipeline, automatic control of the CLP, cost of coal log transportation through the pipeline, treatment of CLP effluents at power plants, and legal research concerning coal pipelines. This paper gives a brief review of some of these areas, and the state of development of this emerging technology. Implications for electric utilities, coal companies and the general public are also discussed.