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Coal expected to remain “dominant fuel” through 2035
The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) this week released its Annual Energy Outlook 2011. The agency expects coal will continue to be the “dominant fuel” used to generate electricity in the United States through 2035, according to new projections released Thursday by the Energy Information Administration (EIA) — the statistical arm of the Energy Department. Though EIA predicts that no new coal plants will be built between now and 2035 — with the exception of those that are under construction or are built as a result of incentives for low-emissions coal — coal will dominate the country’s energy portfolio. The reason? The United States will continue to rely on existing coal-fired power plants to produce its electricity.
Coal will continue to be the “dominant fuel” used to generate electricity in the United States through 2035, according to new projections released Thursday by the Energy Information Administration (EIA) — the statistical arm of the Energy Department.
Though EIA predicts that no new coal plants will be built between now and 2035 — with the exception of those that are under construction or are built as a result of incentives for low-emissions coal — coal will dominate the country’s energy portfolio. The reason? The United States will continue to rely on existing coal-fired power plants to produce its electricity.
The EIA expects total U.S. coal consumption to increase from 19.7 quadrillion Btu in 2009 to 25.2 quadrillion Btu in 2035. Coal consumption for electricity generation increases gradually throughout the projected period from using existing plants more intensively and from the few new plants already under construction.
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The 2010 edition of Coal Facts 2010, both the traditional magazine format and a new tri-fold brochure, are now available.
The publication provides a summary of coal production and employment trends through the 2009 reporting year, as well as interesting features on coal history and methods of production, including an informative piece on surface mining, restoration and post-mine land use.
In addition, the publication provides a listing of environmental and safety award winning operations as well as profiles of our Coal Hall of Fame members.
If you would like a hard copy, give us a call at 304.342.4153 or e-mail:
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The West Virginia Coal Association hosted a meeting with newly-elected lawmakers prior to the 2011 regular session of the State Legislature. The meeting drew several of the newly elected members, who discussed their goals and heard a short presentation about the importance of coal to the state’s economy.
The 2011 session of the Legislature begins at noon on January 12 and runs through mid-March. The Association has also scheduled a series of legislative forums sponsored by individual member companies (see calendar of events below).
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The U.S. House of Representatives will abolish its Climate Change Committee when the new Congress is seated in January.
According to a spokesman for incoming Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-Ohio), “The Committee was created by Democrats simply to provide political cover to pass their job-killing national energy tax.” It was established in 2007 by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and chaired by Rep. Ed Markey (D-Mass.).
Statement of the West Virginia Coal Association to the US Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration proposed rule "Lowering Miners' Exposure to Respirable Coal Mine Dust, Including Continuous Personal Dust Monitors.” Public Hearing at the National Mine Health & Safety Academy, Beaver, WV -- December 7, 2010.
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A recently released report by Deloitte Consulting, Tracking the Trends 2011: The Top Ten Issues Mining Companies Will Face, provides an overview of the primary issues facing the mining industry as we move into the new year.
The concerns include:
Financing constraints that have followed the recent global financial crisis.
Rapid global industrialization is driving a mismatch between supply and demand for commodities;
Increasing need to do more to engage key community stakeholders at every stage of the mine’s lifecycle; New mining taxes; New regulations;
Greater policy influences being exerted by various governments in the wake of the global financial crisis; The need for more strategic long-range planning;
Skilled labor retention and recruitment challenges, particularly in middle-management ranks;
Ramifications and new strategic requirements presented by expansion into marginal projects and more remote geographies;
Escalating stakeholder demands for greater mining company disclosure of environmental standards and impacts;
Inadequate infrastructure to support mining activities and transport of commodities; and, Balancing risk with new opportunities.
A full copy of the report is available at: Deloitte’s website.
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