US coal imports could hit 75-mil tons in 5-10 years: executive

Washington (Platts)--18Oct2004

US coal imports could grow to 75 mil tons per year over the next 5-10 years
from only 20 mil tons in 2003, George Wilbanks, president of Birmingham,
Alabama-based Drummond Coal, said Monday at an industry conference in
Barcelona. Wilbanks said a reduction in Central Appalachia coal production
combined with the fact that a growth in low-sulfur Western coal will likely be
limited by rail restrictions and the need for modifications to existing
coal-fired power plants, will lead to a rise in imports. Demand is rising as
production is falling in the US and plant inventories are now at dangerously
low levels, he added. While infrastructure improvements are needed to increase
imports, he the needed changes could be made to ports in Alabama, Florida and
the Northeast US relatively quickly.

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