Recent News
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Total coal stockpile levels at U.S. electric power plants were 139 million tons in August 2011—the lowest total level for August since 2006. Bituminous coal stockpiles declined the most, down 27% since August 2009. Increases in the spot price of Central Appalachian coal as well as some supply disruptions in the late spring of 2011 contributed to declining stock levels.
Coal stockpile levels typically decline during summer months as power plants burn through stocks to meet seasonal peak electric demand for air conditioning load. Stockpile levels have been depressed throughout 2011 compared to 2009 and 2010 levels. According to average monthly data, the spot price of Central Appalachian coal (a key benchmark for the price of Eastern bituminous coal) was up 18% since August 2010. Flooding in April and May disrupted some coal deliveries, especially in the Southeast, and likely played a role in the declining stock levels going into the summer of 2011.
"Days of burn," another measure of the disposition of coal stocks, dipped under 60 days by mid-year 2011 for the first time since 2008. The average number of days of burn held at electric power plants is a forward-looking estimate of coal supply, given a power plant's current stockpile and past consumption patterns. Mostly for reliability reasons, plant operators maintain stockpiles within certain ranges even though supply disruptions in excess of 60 days are relatively unlikely. Days of burn held generally rose in 2009 as a result of the reduced electricity demand associated with lower economic activity.
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Electricity Monthly Update
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The Corridor G Regional Development Authority's 7th Annual Post Mine Land Use Forum is scheduled for Monday, November 14, 2011. Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. The forum will conclude with lunch and a keynote address at approximately 12:30 p.m. To regisiter for the event, please click here or copy and paste the following address into your browser.
http://www.corridorgrda.com/
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We are pleased to announce that Senator Jay Rockefeller (video appearance) and Senator Joe Manchin, along with Representatives Shelley Moore Capito and David McKinley, will deliver key remarks at a Business Opportunity Session in Charleston, WV on Monday, November 14, 2011 at the Charleston Civic Center.
This Business Opportunity Session, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy's National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) in collaboration with Teaming to Win.
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Jackson Kelly PLLC has been named the first U.S. News – Best Lawyers Law Firm of the Year in Mining Law. This is according to the recently-released U.S. News Media Group and Best Lawyers 2011-2012 “Best Law Firms” rankings. Jackson Kelly is the only law firm to receive this national recognition in mining law which makes this award a significant achievement. The firm’s ranking will be featured in U.S. News & World Report’s Money issue, on newsstands November 15, 2011.
CONGRATULATIONS Jackson Kelly – we are proud to have you as members.
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With so many things (issues) going on with the state and federal governments that affect our everyday operations and with the 2012 Regular Legislative Session beginning in January, the Association is planning to host three regional meetings to discuss legislative, regulatory and political topics. Each of the three regional programs will commence at 3 p.m. and conclude with a “Friends of Coal” reception. All WV Coal Association members are encouraged to attend the meeting in their area or all three, if you choose.
The first regional meeting will be held on November 16 at the Waterfront Hotel in Morgantown. The second meeting will be on November 29 at the Charleston Civic Center and the third on November 30 at the Tamarack Conference Center in Beckley. Please mark your calendars now. More information and meeting materials will be forthcoming.
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