Category Archives for American Coal Council
Analysis: Premium coking coal lifts up, leaves pulverized coal injection behind
London (Platts)–13 Jun 2018
Premium coking coal prices have surged again, boosting their premiums second-tier HCC and PCI.
On March 23, the TSI HCC FOB Australia was 2.6% below the premium benchmark, the narrowest gap seen to date this year.
Mid-tier PCI spot prices were at a 68.65% relativity to Premium HCC on Wednesday, and an average of 75% in May.
Mid-tier PCI may be used for injection, and in the coke blend, lending a tight differential with prices for low-vol PCI spot assessments, which were at a $1/mt premium over mid-tier PCI on average in May.
US Coking Coal Prices Gap up on Tightness in Australia Platts
SOPOT, POLAND (June 6, 2018) – Atlantic Basin coking coal prices lifted higher Tuesday, especially for premium grade material, on renewed tightness in Australia and stronger spot demand to restock in China and India with such grades.
A problem with a vessel loader at Abbot Point, Queensland, along with tighter railing availability in Queensland through the critical Goonyella line, were talking points in the market.
Any move to buy more US coal may be limited by general coverage in contracts, and higher volumes committed into buyers, or held for regular inquiries.
High-vol B tightness and steady contract demand may limit attempts to cover gaps in supplies out of Australia with higher quality US high-vol A, mid-vol and other coals.
Energy Chief Defends Trump Directive on Coal, Nuclear Plants
By Matthew Daly 
AP
WASHINGTON (June 4, 2018) – Energy Secretary Rick Perry on Monday defended President Donald Trump’s call to bolster coal-fired and nuclear power plants, saying a rash of plant retirements is “alarming” and poses a looming crisis for the nation’s power grid.
Experts disagree and say Trump is attempting to solve a problem that doesn’t exist.
In a speech in Austin, Texas, Perry said coal and nuclear plants “are retiring at an alarming rate that, if unchecked, will threaten our ability to recover from intentional attacks and natural disasters.”
“The president is right to view grid resilience as a serious national security issue,” Perry said at a conference on cybersecurity.
Is Coal Making a Comeback
By Betsy Monseu, CEO
American Coal Council
There is no question that the future is brighter for our nation’s coal industry.
Changes in policy, regulations, and markets are contributing to a stronger domestic coal industry. The U.S. economy is growing again. Global economic activity is increasing. The business prospects of other countries that use our coal for electricity, steel-making, and other industrial purposes are better. U.S. coal exports are up a whopping 70 percent year-to-date through September 2017.
Be A Leader! Tomorrow’s Leadership Council: Preparing Future Coal Industry Leaders Today
The ACC’s Tomorrow’s Leadership Council (TLC) is designed to advance and vest executive talent in the coal industry. The Council provides a meaningful opportunity for up-and-coming executives to enhance their industry knowledge and networks through projects and activities that advance industry-wide objectives as well as professional development goals. Launched in 2009, the TLC program has “graduated” over 120 executives.
4 New Met Mines Planned for Pennsylvania
At least four new underground metallurgical coal mines are planned for Pennsylvania in 2017 as the industry looks to take advantage of rising demand and prices for met coal both domestically and internationally after spending several years in the doldrums.
Rosebud Mining, Corsa Coal, Robindale Energy and AK Coal Resources all are developing new mines in the Keystone state ranging in size from several hundred thousand tons annually to nearly a million tons a year. Much, though not all, of that output will be earmarked for the seaborne export market. AK Coal, however, plans to supply coal from its new Polaris mine in Somerset County to a plant in Middletown, Ohio, owned and operated by its AK Steel parent company.
Four Critical Energy Issues to Watch in 2017
President-elect Trump will likely start rolling back eight years of Obama administration climate regulations and restrictions on coal, oil and gas development
The U.S. may be on the cusp of a stark turning point in energy and climate policy with the election of Donald Trump, who has stocked his cabinet with a majority of people who doubt or reject established climate science.
Top priorities of the Trump transition team and cabinet nominees — many who disregard the connection between global warming and fossil fuel energy use — include rolling back eight years of Obama administration climate regulations and restrictions on coal, oil and gas development.
The American Coal Council Wishes All Happy Holidays
The American Coal Council would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a very happy and joyous Holiday Season and a wonderful New Year. May the light of the season abide in our hearts and may we be filled with peace..
Coal offers cautious optimism for Trump at first post-election conference
URL: https://www.snl.com/InteractiveX/article.aspx?CDID=A-38623833-12331&KPLT=4
SNL, Christopher Coats, 12/8/2016
At one of the first industrywide gatherings since Election Day, the coal sector offered cautious optimism about the Trump administration’s impact on the industry after years of challenges.
Gathered in New York for the 15th Annual Coal Trading Conference on Dec. 5 and 6, industry representatives offered their takes on election results that, admittedly, few saw coming.
Throughout this year’s presidential campaign, Donald Trump pledged support for the coal industry, promising on several occasions to push back on Obama administration regulations often cited as detrimental to the industry and to “put miners back to work.”
After the Election: What Coal Needs Most
Energy and Environment Monitor, M. Shane Harvey and Jackson Kelly, (11/28/2016)
Energy and Environment Monitor, M. Shane Harvey and Jackson Kelly, (11/28/2016)
URL: http://eem.jacksonkelly.com/2016/11/after-the-election-what-coal-needs-most.html
My colleagues and I have the privilege of working with coal operators every day in the places where coal is mined in this country. From coal basins in Appalachia to Illinois to the Powder River Basin, we have had the pleasure of helping those who mine the coal that powers our homes and makes our steel.
In recent years, the challenges have been numerous, to put it mildly. Undoubtedly, many of those challenges have been market-driven. But, without question, there have been unprecedented regulatory pressures as well.