Virginia metallurgical-coal production and exports: a prospects update
The metallurgical coal (met coal) market is the most important single factor related to the economic well-being of Virginia's coal industry and its state-based railroads. And, for both industries, it has proved to be an unstable market influenced by the recessionary cycles which have effected US and foreign businesses. Currently, coal producers in southwestern Virginia acknowledge the market is depressed, causing worker layoffs and mine closings, yet the railroads have continued to carry record-breaking quantities of coal to Hampton Roads for export during the first six months of this year, and 1982 totals will be the largest in history. How can this incongruity be explained. This study attempts to identify and evaluate the various factors affecting the met coal market and provides an estimate delineating the Virginia market to the year 2000. It is projected to increase by up to 20 percent as low sulfur, low ash met coal is used as a replacement by electric utilities both here and abroad. This expansion could be further influenced by control regulations, resulting from the current reappraisal of the Clean Air Act, and a narrowed price differential between met and steam coal as an advanced steel-making technology reduces the requirement for coke.
- Research Organization:
- Virginia Polytechnic Inst. and State Univ., Blacksburg (USA)
- OSTI ID:
- 6474940
- Report Number(s):
- NP-3900498; ON: DE83900498
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
CLEAN AIR ACT
COAL
COAL INDUSTRY
CONSTRAINTS
ENERGY SOURCES
FEDERAL REGION III
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
INDUSTRY
INSTITUTIONAL FACTORS
LAND TRANSPORT
LAWS
LEGAL ASPECTS
MARKET
MATERIALS
NORTH AMERICA
POLLUTION LAWS
PRODUCTION
RAIL TRANSPORT
SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS
SULFUR CONTENT
TRANSPORT
USA
VIRGINIA