November 4, 2008
CP Rail Expects DM&E to Earn More than Forecast | www.reuters.com
The Dakota Minnesota & Eastern (DM&E) Railroad was recently acquired by the Canadian Pacific (CP) Railway. The DM&E has for years been proposing an extension to the Wyoming Powder River Basin coal reserves. This project, if commenced, would upgrade an existing 600 miles of track and provide for 260 miles of new track expansion into the coal fields of the PRB. When the DM&E was a stand-alone Class II Railroad, it applied to the Federal Railroad Administration for Government-backed loan guarantees for this potential project. The submissions and comments related to this FRA filing tell of the potential affects on the DM&E, Union Pacific (UP), and BNSF.
Coal Rail Transportation Volume and Rate Increases Positive for the Railroads
October 20, 2008
Seminole Files Rail Complaint to Protect Its Members | www.marketwatch.com
The year-to-date and outlook for many of the items transported by the U.S. railroads are down, coal transportation has been positive. The discussions that follows list some of the positives for the railroads.
Labor, Permitting, Geology, and Inspections Hindering Coal Production, Adding to Costs
October 20, 2008
Interested In Workin' In A Coal Mine? | www.forbes.com
Coal companies have issued force majeure declarations to customers due to various production-related issues. These are discussed in the section below.
Refund on Coal Excise Tax Paid on Exports Contained in Emergency Stabilization Act
October 8, 2008
Coal Gets Help in Financial Bailout | wvgazette.com
As the referenced article states, there are many benefits in the Emergency Stabilization Act for the coal industry. One not discussed is the refund of the coal excise tax. The commentary section discusses this.
Refined Coal – Things to Consider as a Result of Changes to Tax Credit Qualification
October 7, 2008
Congress Extends Refined Coal Tax Credit | www.marketwatch.com
The Emergency Stabilization Act signed into law on October 3, 2008 includes an extension of tax credits for renewable energy and refined coal. The discussion that follows includes items to consider regarding the refined coal tax credit.
Activated Carbon for Mercury Control – Potential Demand
September 22, 2008
ADES: Multi-Year Supply Contract with Luminant for Activated Carbon | www.tradingmarkets.com
The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled on February 8, 2009 in favor of the plaintiffs that coal plants could not be removed from the list of mercury sources subject to a Maximum Available Control Technology (MACT) standard and the subsequent movements to require EPA to set a mercury MACT standard for coal-fired power plants provides an opportunity in the mercury control space, including activated carbon.
September 22, 2008
UBS Cuts FreightCar America to ‘Sell’ on Price | www.forbes.com
The commentary section discusses the current market and outlook for coal railcars
Natural Gas vs. Coal Generating Economics
September 22, 2008
NYMEX Natural Gas Rises with Crude, Damage Reports | www.forbes.com
The fuel-switching from coal to natural gas affects the demand and price for each commodity. The commentary below discusses what issues are part of the analysis of a utility or merchant fuel buyer on whether to switch fuel sources to fuel power plants.
Coal Transportation Outlook for the Railroads
September 22, 2008
Railroad Shipping | www.logisticsmgmt.com
Although the year-to-date and outlook for many of the items transported by the U.S. railroads are down, coal transportation has been positive. The commentary section below discusses the positives of coal transportation for the railroads.
Clean Air Ruling’s Potential Affect on Utilities and IPPs Long SO2 and NOx Allowances
August 19, 2008
Clean Air Ruling Raises Doubts Over Investments | www.cattlenetwork.com
Court’s decision vacating the Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR) potentially affects utilities or IPPs long the allowances as described in the section that follows.
Chesapeake Energy bites the natural gas bullet
January 25, 2012
Flurry of newbuild drilling rig deliveries in 2012 may dampen rig rates
January 20, 2012
Talisman joins the ranks of cautious E&P companies
January 12, 2012
Early signs of caution begin to cloud frontier exploration and production
January 4, 2012
It's too early in the game to write off Shtokman
December 8, 2011