Potential Demand for Western Coal in the Northeastern United States and Its Relationship to Waterway Transportation Facilities

摘要

Preliminary studies indicate that a potential exists for the movement of large amounts of Western coal through the Port of Buffalo. In response to increasing interest in Western coal utilization along the southern Great Lakes and in New England, and in consideration for the possible beneficial effects such utilization might have in relieving chronic unemployment problems in the western New York area, the New York area, the New York State Job Development Authority and the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority have proposed and begun planning for a coal and bulk commodity transshipment terminal to be located at Buffalo. The facility will have the capability of handling 12 million tons per year of Western coal, and will be designed to accommodate unloading and storage for taconite ore, iron ore pellets, and ferro-chromium ores. When completed, Conrail connections will transport coal to inland and lakeside users, with a potential for rail shipment to utilities in Massachusetts and Maine. In terms of potential volumes of coal moving through the system, present informaton indicates that as much as ten million tons per year may be anticipated by 1985. Cost studies indicate that potential savings of up to $4.00 per ton may be realized by New England utilities through the use of Western coals, as opposed to Appalachian coals shipped up the East Coast. The reason lies in lower f.o.b. mine costs for the coal, and higher railroad rates from Appalachian coal fields to East Coast port facilities. (ERA citation 03:042215)