Commodities & Metals

U.S. EPA Takes on Coal Industry

coal train
Thinkstock
The battered U.S. coal industry took another shot Friday as U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) chief Gina McCarthy announced proposed stricter clean air regulations in a speech at the National Press Club. Ever since President Obama announced a plan to limit greenhouse gas emissions a year ago, the industry and its political backers have condemned the president’s “war on coal.”

The proposed regulations set emissions at new coal-fired power plants at 1,100 pounds of carbon dioxide per megawatt hour of generation. Many existing coal-fired plants emit between 1,600 and 2,100 pounds of CO2 per megawatt. Advanced coal-fired plants emit 1,800 pounds of CO2, according to industry officials.

Coal-fired electricity generation consumes about 18% of all the energy used in the United States and emits about 31% of energy-related carbon dioxide. The EPA is touting a technology called carbon capture and storage (CCS), which some experts say can capture as much as 90% of a power plant’s carbon emissions. Opponents claim the technology is unproven and too expensive in any event.

Any cost advantage coal might have over natural gas as a fuel for power generation could rapidly disappear if the proposed rules are adopted. New natural gas-fired plants with a capacity of up to 850 megawatts also will be held to a carbon emissions limit of 1,100 pounds and larger plants will be limited to 1,000 pounds per megawatt hour. Natural gas emits about half as much carbon as does coal, so meeting the new requirements is not an issue.

The proposed regulations will not have too much impact on today’s share prices of U.S. coal companies because the announcement has been anticipated for at least a year and is already priced into the stocks.

Shares of Peabody Energy Corp. (NYSE: BTU) are down 0.2%, at $18.71 in pre-market trading Friday morning. The stock’s 52-week range is $14.34 to $29.84.

Alpha Natural Resources Inc. (NYSE: ANR) closed at $6.63 last night and is inactive this morning. The stock’s 52-week range is $4.78 to $10.74.

Arch Coal Inc. (NYSE: ACI) is down 1.2%, at $4.94 in a 52-week range of $3.47 to $8.86.

Consol Energy Inc. (NYSE: CNX) is inactive, having closed at $35.34 last night in a 52-week range of $26.25 to $37.39.

Walter Energy Inc. (NYSE: WLT) is down about 0.1%, at $14.99 in a 52-week range of $9.88 to $41.32.

100 Million Americans Are Missing This Crucial Retirement Tool

The thought of burdening your family with a financial disaster is most Americans’ nightmare. However, recent studies show that over 100 million Americans still don’t have proper life insurance in the event they pass away.

Life insurance can bring peace of mind – ensuring your loved ones are safeguarded against unforeseen expenses and debts. With premiums often lower than expected and a variety of plans tailored to different life stages and health conditions, securing a policy is more accessible than ever.

A quick, no-obligation quote can provide valuable insight into what’s available and what might best suit your family’s needs. Life insurance is a simple step you can take today to help secure peace of mind for your loved ones tomorrow.

Click here to learn how to get a quote in just a few minutes.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.