Factors continue align that likely will lead to eventual coal shortage, increased domestic prices

摘要

Indications that natural gas fundamentals might finally be trending upward, a result of steadily lowering rig counts and - maybe - an improving economy, finally give coal producers some reason to peak beyond the dark clouds toward some blue skies on the horizon. That's not to say a recovery in coal demand will come about quickly. This is likely to be a long, slow slog, and some foot soldiers could fall away before things get better. But coal production has tumbled, will tumble some more, and at some point, the result will likely be, as one source predicted "a vicious boomerang."