EIA Reports Big Drop in U.S. Coal Production and Consumption
GenerationHub.com,
by Barry Cassell, June 28, 2012
U.S. coal production
during the first quarter of this year totaled 266.4 million tons, which
was 5.7% lower than the previous quarter (fourth quarter 2011) and 2.6%
lower than the first quarter of 2011, said the U.S. Energy Information
Administration in the June 27 edition of its "Quarterly Coal Report."
U.S. coal imports totaled 2 million tons in the first quarter, 25.1%
lower than fourth quarter 2011 and down 40.2% from first quarter 2011.
Total U.S. coal consumption for first quarter 2012 (206.9 million tons)
was the lowest since second quarter 1988, EIA reported. Coal consumption
fell to 189.9 million tons in the electric power sector. Total U.S. coal
stocks increased to 244.4 million tons in the first quarter 2012 from
224.7 million tons in the fourth quarter 2011. However, U.S. coal
exports totaled 28.6 million tons in first quarter 2012. Exports
increased by 3.5% from fourth quarter 2011 and 7.6% from first quarter
2011. Exports to Asian markets accounted for about one-fourth of all
coal exports in first quarter 2012.
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