According to the latest report from the Energy Information Agency (EIA), coal production in the United States rose by 390,000 million tons for the week ending January 3, compared to the same time last year. Production for the week stood at 17.61 million tons compared to 17.22 million tons for the first week of January, 2014.  For the 52-week period ending January 3,  production was also up slightly, to 994.3 million tons from 982.1 million tons last year.

This increase was reflected in the number of rail car loadings, which saw an increase of 0.3% for the week over the same period last year. Rail car loadings were up 1.0% for the previous 52 weeks.

Metallurgical coal exports for the month of November (the most recent data available) dropped by 5.0% from a year ago to stand at 4.8 million tons. Steam coal, also continued its slide during the month of November, down 21.9% from a year ago to 2.7 million tons. Year-to-date through the end of November, both metallurgical and steam coal exports remain down compared to last year. Metallurgical coal is off 3.9% at 58.2 million tons while steam coal is off 32% at 31.8 million tons shipped.

Imports picked up in November – up 18% -- to 1 million tons. Coal imports for the previous 52 weeks remain up 32% to 10.8 million tons.

Electric output was also off - down 2.1% for the week ending January 3 - but is down slightly (also 2.1%) for the year. Steel output surged for the week - up 3.4 percent to 1.85 million tons - and continues to trend up slightly for the year at 93.7 million tons produced compared to 93.0 million tons last year.

Steel production finished the week up 3.9% from the same week a year ago, and is also up 3.9% for the previous 52 weeks.

Looking at regional coal production, Appalachian coal production was up slightly for the week – to 4.72 million tons from 4.69 million tons for the same week last year. Meanwhile, Interior Basin production was up slightly to 3.30 million tons from 3.27 million tons for the week last year. Western production was up slightly this week, to 9.58 million tons from 9.32 million tons for the first week of 2014. 

Regional production for the three primary production basins for the previous 52 weeks ending January 3, however, reflected the longer term trends of reduced production in the Appalachia countered by increased production in the Interior and Western reserves. For the period, Appalachia production was down slightly by 0.4% to 269.70 million tons, off from 270.62 million tons in 2013. Interior Basin production was up for the period by 2.4%, to 186.0 from 182.61 million tons last year. Meanwhile, Western production was up 1.7%, to 537.66 million tons from 528.82 in 2013.

Citing “data quality issues” the EIA has decided not to report state-level estimates. We apologize for this and we will seek an alternate source of the information.

According to the West Virginia Office of Miners’ Health, Safety and Training, reported coal production for 2014 in West Virginia currently stands at 112.13 million tons, of which 84.50 million tons was produced underground and 27.64 million tons was produced via surface mining. There are currently 125 mines reporting production in the state. Direct mining employment currently stands at 18,257 miners, with 14,131 working primarily underground and another 4,126 working on surface operations in the state. 

Coal prices on the spot market were mixed this week. Central Appalachian coal fell to $55.92 per ton, off from $56.10 last week. North Appalachian coal saw an increase in price to

$66.55 per ton, up from $65.30 per ton last week. Illinois Basin coal prices also saw an increase, at $45.70 per ton, up from $44.55 per ton a week ago. Likewise, Powder River Basin and Uinta Basin coal prices increased this week - at $12.10 and $38.30 per ton respectively.

Natural gas prices stopped their recent decline, remaining essentially steady on the Henry Hub at approximately $3.60 per million Btu. Natural gas producers reported significant declines in their stored reserves - off 64 billion cubic feet compared to last month.

Utilities reported that for the month of October, they held an average of 82 days worth of bituminous coal in stockpiles along with 50 days of sub-bituminous. This is significantly down from October 2013, down 10.1% and 18.4% respectively.

Following the sudden and untimely death of Marshall University President Stephen Kopp in December, the University’s Board of Governors has unanimously named former West Virginia Coal Association President and two-time Board Chairman, Gary White, of Logan, to the role of interim president.  A Marshall graduate, Gary has also served as president and CEO of International Industries, Inc., based in Gilbert, vice president of the state Board of Education, the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission and on the University of Pikeville Board of Trustees.  His tenure began January 1^st and will last until a permanent replacement is found.

Following the announcement, Governor Tomblin said,  “I have known Gary for many years and commend Marshall University for making an outstanding choice for an interim president. Gary is passionate about improving our state’s higher education system and will be a steady hand for the University while the Board of Governors searches for a permanent replacement for the late Dr. Kopp.”  We, at the Association, wish the best of luck to Gary who we know will do an outstanding job for his alma mater and the State of West Virginia.

The formal changing of the guard in West Virginia’s Congressional delegation took place this week in Washington with the “swearing-in” of  U.S. Senator Shelley Capito (R-WV),  incumbent Congressman David McKinley (R-1st District) and freshmen Congressmen Evan Jenkins (R-3rd District) and Alex Mooney (R-2nd District).  Capito is the first woman ever to be elected to the U.S. Senate from West Virginia and the first Republican in more than 50 years.

West Virginia's longest-serving governor, Arch A. Moore Jr. died January 7th in Charleston at age 91 just one day after his daughter, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito, R-WV, was sworn into office.

Moore, a Marshall County native, launched his life in politics at age 28 and was married for 65 years to the late Shelley Riley Moore, who died in September 2014. The Moores were parents to Shelley Moore Capito, Lucy Moore Durbin and Arch III. 

STRATTON STREET — With Christmas right around the corner, many local military and coal mining families are feeling the pressures of the holidays instead of the Christmas Spirit. However, the Friends of Coal Ladies’ Auxiliary, an organization with about 5,000 members throughout the coalfields that works year-round to promote awareness about the positive aspects of the coal industry, to educate the public about the industry, and to work on projects that support veterans, visited Logan County on Tuesday to act as “Santa’s Helpers.”

The Ladies’ Auxiliary brought toys, clothes and two weeks of food for 13 local families during their Giving Hearts operation. They took base in the Shriner’s Lodge located on Stratton Street. The Shriner’s donated the use of the building for free as their contribution to the project.