2009 Wyoming coal production down 8.5 percent; year-to-date mining down 2.8 percent
By APFriday, June 18, 2010
Wyoming coal production down 8.5 percent
CASPER, Wyo. — Coal production in Wyoming is down, a slide the industry blames partly on the slow economy.
In 2009, 427.4 million tons were produced, down 8.5 percent from the previous year. So far this year, mines have extracted 2.8 percent less coal than by this time last year.
Besides the recession, the American Coal Council also cites a shift by more utilities to rely more on natural gas to produce electricity.
“I don’t think it’s unexpected,” council CEO Janet Gellici said. Coal production in the state reached an all time high in 2008 when 467 tons were extracted.
Wyoming still accounted for nearly 40 percent of the nation’s coal supply in 2009, with an average of 70 to 80 trains moving coal out of the Powder River Basin each day.
Production at Wyoming’s two largest mines — Peabody’s North Antelope Rochelle mine and Arch Coal’s Black Thunder Mine — both reported higher production in the first quarter compared with last year. However, Wyoming Mining Association executive director Marion Loomis said he doesn’t expect to see an overall increase in production this year.
Hundreds of mining officials and industry contractors are gathered for the association’s annual convention in Jackson this week.
Loomis said the industry is most concerned about expected new regulations affecting coal. The Environmental Protection Agency is raising standards for mercury, ozone and sulfur dioxide emissions.
