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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Illinois coal: development potential. [Illinois; to 1985; with assumptions]

Book ·
OSTI ID:6453679

Despite the problems facing the coal industry in Illinois, the use of Illinois coal is bound to increase. Although the increase in the use of Illinois coal is not likely to be as high as the increase projected for the use of western coals, Illinois coal is expected to continue to supply a substantial portion of the coal used in the United States. In view of our prediction of a 4% rate of growth, we believe that the industry's announced capacity for 1985 will not be adequate to meet the demand. Therefore, we feel that it will be necessary to open several new mines between 1980 and 1985, in addition to those announced or being planned, to bring Illinois coal mining capacity to more than 102 million tons per year, which at a 90% effective utilization could supply the 93 million tons of coal that we estimate will be needed in 1985. If the development of western coal is considerably slowed down and the limitations imposed on the use of high-sulfur coals are eased, the demand for Illinois coal could increase substantially, and to supply this demand, Illinois coal mining capacity by 1985 may even have to be almost doubled from the 1975 estimated mining capacity of about 68 million tons.

OSTI ID:
6453679
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English