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U.S. COAL PRODUCTION MAY NOT REACH GOALS SET FOR 1985

The sources of constraints on the plan to double United States coal production by 1985 are discussed. There are two different types of constraints now limiting coal production-constraints on the demand for coal, such as Federal air quality standards that prohibit the burning of much of the nation's coal without steps to reduce air pollutants, and supply constraints, such as bottlenecks in equipment deliveries and the decision enjoining western mining. Utilities are extremely reluctant to burn coal with cleanup devices because of the expense of the equipment (some utility executives contend the cost of the equipment is more than one-fourth the cost of constructing a typical coal fired plant), alleged reliability problems and the drawn-out rate proceedings the utilities must go through before they can recoup their investments in the cleanup devices, a capital item. Industry leaders entered 1975 bullish on western coal which they count on for almost three-fifths of the added capacity they expect to put in place between now and 1985. But on June 16 a U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia enjoined the Federal government for moving ahead with coal development in the Northern Great Plains area, a rich coal basin that contains 48 percent of the nation's coal reserves.

  • Corporate Authors:

    National Society of Professional Engineers

    2029 K Street, NW
    Washington, DC  United States  20006
  • Authors:
    • Phillips, J G
  • Publication Date: 1975-11

Media Info

  • Pagination: p. 25-28
  • Serial:
    • Professional Engineer
    • Volume: 45
    • Issue Number: 11
    • Publisher: National Society of Professional Engineers

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 00135174
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Source Agency: Engineering Index
  • Files: TRIS
  • Created Date: Jul 13 1976 12:00AM