U.S. Coal Supply and Demand: 2005 Review

摘要

Coal production in the United States reached a record level in 2005, ending the year at 1,133.3 million short tons according to preliminary data from the Energy Information Administration (Table 1). Production in 2005 was 21.2 million short tons higher than the 2004 level of 1,112.1 million short tons, and surpassed the prior record set in 2001 by 5.6 million short tons. Although total U.S. coal consumption rose in 2005, not all coal-consuming sectors had increased consumption for the year. Coal consumption increased in the electric power sector by 2.2 percent and declined in the other industrial sector, while coking coal consumption decreased slightly. (Note: All unit and percentage change calculations are done at the short-tons level.) U.S. coal exports rose for a third consecutive year in 2005, while coal imports again reached a record level. Total coal stocks declined during the year, as electric generators used their stockpiles to help meet increased demands and missed shipments, while coal producers used their stockpiles to supplement their production levels in 2005.