Kentucky's coal production constraints

Technical Report · Mon Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1976

OSTI ID:7311195

Problems related to coal manpower, transportation, and markets may limit the expansion of mining output. In addition, production may be constrained by difficulties facing coal suppliers and users in obtaining needed capital and equipment and in complying with environmental regulations. This report reviews and summarizes the findings of studies identifying coal manpower, transportaton, and market constraints on Kentucky coal production. Specific manpower problems are the insufficiency of qualified miners, worker attitudes and motivation, labor grievances, and inadequate management practices. A wide array of factors affecting the availability and efficient utilization of the coal transportation network are identified. Discussion centers on the shortage of railroad cars and facilities, under-utilization of unit trains, opposition to waterway development, and the lack of funds to maintain coal-haul roads. Two factors--the cost of utility conversion and the inability to burn coal because of stringent air emission standards--are presented as major market problems with negative implications for coal production. The report concludes with a list of recommendations for eliminating or reducing the impact of identified production constraints. 16 tables, 10 figs., 11 references.

• Research Organization: Kentucky Center for Energy Research, Lexington (USA)
• OSTI ID: 7311195
• Report Number(s): NP-22089
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
015000* -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Economic
Industrial
& Business Aspects
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
294001 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Coal
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
COAL
COAL INDUSTRY
ENERGY SOURCES
ENVIRONMENT
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
INDUSTRY
KENTUCKY
MANPOWER
MARKET
NORTH AMERICA
PRODUCTION
REGULATIONS
SOUTHEAST REGION
TRANSPORT
USA