Colo. coal shovels near record in '07
Mines coming online may put 2008 over top
Gargi Chakrabarty
Published February 7, 2008 at 12:05 a.m.
Coal-orado days are back. Almost.
After a brief lull, Colorado's coal production posted its third-best year in 2007, slightly behind the highs of 2004 but ranking No. 7 among coal-producing states in the nation.
And this year promises to keep up that momentum, according to early estimates from the Colorado Geological Survey.
Two new mines scheduled to go online later this year - Northfield, south of Florence, and King II in La Plata County - coupled with higher efficiency at the Twenty Mile mine near Steamboat Springs, could catapult Colorado's coal production to 37.3 million tons in 2008, the survey forecasts.
That would be higher than 2007's 36.8 million tons but lower than 2004's record-setting 39.8 million tons. Colorado was the fastest-growing coal-producing state in 2004, ranking No. 6 among all states in production.
"There always will be a need for coal. It is a plentiful and inexpensive option for electrical power in the United States today," said Chris Carroll of the CGS. "The higher production in 2007 is a reflection of power plants in Kentucky and Tennessee wanting to burn more Colorado coal, so demand for coal is still there."
Coal production has slumped since 2004, partly because of the retiring of two mines, Seneca II-W and Yoast, and geological difficulties faced by some other mines. Fatal accidents at coal mines in West Virginia and Utah didn't help the industry, which has faced higher scrutiny and stricter regulations.
Production also suffered because of slowing demand from electrical utilities, coal's biggest customers.
Utilities across the nation either shelved or scrapped plans for 15,000 megawatts of coal-fired power plants in past years amid concerns about global warming and a greater focus on renewable-energy sources. One megawatt roughly serves the electrical needs of 1,000 customers.
No new coal plant has been announced in Colorado in the past couple of years.
Critics denounce conventional coal-fired power plants because of their emissions, believed to be a major cause of global warming. Utilities are opting for power plants fueled by the sun, wind or clean-burning natural gas.
Rejuvenating coal will be a major topic at the upcoming National Western Mining Conference & Exhibition in Denver Feb. 11-14, said Stuart Sanderson of the Colorado Mining Association.
The United States has 27 percent of the world's coal reserves, more than twice the energy equivalent in coal that the entire Middle East has in oil reserves.
chakrabartyg@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-2976
Conference highlights clean-coal technology
More than 500 are expected to attend the National Western Mining Conference & Exhibition Feb. 11-14 at the Westin Hotel in Denver.
The conference, organized by the Colorado Mining Association, will focus on clean-coal technologies, such as coal-to-liquid fuel, mining safety issues and other topics.
"It is time to rethink our perceptions about coal," said Mark A. Smith, president and chief executive officer of Chevron Mining Inc., who will address the opening session.
"With energy demand predicted to increase by nearly 60 percent over the next 20 years, the U.S. will need every available source of energy to support our economy.
"There is exciting potential for the conversion of America's most abundant energy source (coal) to liquid fuels for powering our automobiles, jet aircraft and other means of transportation."
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Suggest removal
Geta_clue writes:
When are the Democrats going to outlaw the exportation of coal? People all over the world are ready to buy this fuel that the Democrats want to ban.
February 7, 2008
8:01 p.m.
Suggest removal
Brockage writes:
Good news for us all -- keep the railroads moving "our" coal to the many places that need it - and at a fair price for energy (now that's kinda nice as a change of pace). Bring on the scrubbers if necessary, but produce that good, clean Western coal!