Coal in the News

21May

Coal Still Fuels Economic Fire in Pennsylvania, Industry Study Reports

Via The Tribune-Review: Don’t rule the coal industry out as an economic force in Pennsylvania just yet. A new study — conducted by the Allegheny Conference on Community Development and commissioned by the Pennsylvania Coal Alliance — found that coal mining accounts for nearly $7 billion in economic activity in the state, including $4.6 billion directly […]
16May

Editorial: New Mine Could Have Far-Reaching Effects

Via The Herald-Dispatch: When people talk about economically distressed areas in southern West Virginia, they usually focus on McDowell County. Nearly forgotten has been its neighbor to the north. Wyoming County has not been hit nearly as hard as McDowell County as the coal industry has contracted and reduced employment, but the downsizing of the […]
13May

Consol developing new coal mine in southern West Virginia

Via WTAE Pittsburgh: Consol Energy Inc. says it expects to open a metallurgical coal mine in southern West Virginia in 2021. News outlets report the new mine in the Wyoming County community of Itmann will employ between 100 and 150 workers. Construction is expected to start by early next year. Canonsburg, Pennsylvania-based Consol Energy expects […]
09May

Arizona Benefits From Diverse Energy Mix – Including Coal, Nuclear

Via The Arizona Capitol Times:  Thanks to helpful geography, Arizona is enjoying something of an energy breakthrough. In 2017, Arizona’s electricity generation from solar power exceeded its hydroelectric output for the first time. And the state now ranks second in the nation in solar generation. Overall, nuclear power, coal, and natural gas still carry the major load, though, contributing a combined 88 […]
03May

Utilities Warn of Threat to U.S. Power Grid

Via The Farmington Daily Times: What’s more valuable: a brand new sports car or an old sedan? Obviously, the sports car. But what if that sports car has an empty gas tank? Suddenly, the perspective changes. Yes, the car may be “valuable,” but it’s not “useful.” It’s a simple analogy. But what if we extend […]
30Apr

Rhode Island Aces High Costs, Energy Disruption

Via The Providence Journal: Two competing trends have been roiling energy markets in Rhode Island and other states in recent years. Utilities have been moving toward a greater reliance on natural gas and renewable energy. But they’re now facing concerns over volatile energy prices and reliable “baseload power.” Rhode Island is becoming particularly familiar with […]
29Apr

Clean Energy Plan Would Test Limits of Illinois Power Grid

Via The Journal Standard:  After the Green New Deal was introduced in Congress, critics quickly focused on its wide-ranging agenda and potentially massive costs. But many overlooked a more pressing concern: Is a future built solely on wind and solar power a realistic possibility? It’s a question that should preoccupy Illinois, noting the Clean Energy […]
29Apr

Wyoming Governor Criticizes Consideration of Coal Plant Closures in State

Via The Casper Star-Tribune: Gov. Mark Gordon said he was “deeply concerned” Friday by Rocky Mountain Power’s serious consideration of shuttering some coal-fired power plant units in Wyoming within four years. The utility — part of PacifiCorp — released a presentation earlier this week confirming that closing nine coal-fired units in Colorado and Wyoming, including Jim Bridger, […]
24Apr

When the Electricity Market Is the Problem

Via Morning Consult: “Allow the market to work” has been the catchphrase rebuttal whenever it’s suggested that the accelerating loss of America’s baseload, fuel-secure power plants threatens power grid reliability. Renewable and natural gas advocates have sung it from the rooftops. What their dismissal assumes — what their unshakeable faith in the market assumes — […]
23Apr

Wind, Solar Could Be More Costly Than They Seem

Via The Eastern New Mexico News:  Last year, virtually all new electricity generation in the United States came from natural gas and renewables like solar and wind. At first glance it appears these energy sources are winning the marketplace, but that’s hardly the whole story. Yes, the shale revolution has led to an abundance of […]