Today’s coal industry is subject to increasing scrutiny and unprecedented demands from legislators, environmental groups, shareholders and the general public. Rapidly changing legislative realities have even the most seasoned Beltway insiders struggling to keep up. Business resources are being stretched thin to address safety, environmental compliance, permitting, technology development, and infrastructure needs. Operations and construction costs are rising in response to unprecedented global demand for labor, steel, petroleum products and engineering services. Supply dynamics are shifting with emerging markets for U.S. exports and the increasing use of scrubbers.
Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about a broad spectrum of the industry’s most pressing issues, including legislative and regulatory changes and how these factors interact to affect decisions regarding mine and power plant development, fuel sourcing and strategic planning.
21st World Energy Congress - Montreal, QC Canada 2010The next World Energy Congress will be held in 2010 in Montreal, on September 12-16. This congress, which is held every three years, has become a key gathering point attended by more than 3,500 high level decision makers representing all aspects of the energy industry.
The time will be ripe for a new summit on energy. This will be the first major gathering after the COP15 in Copenhagen and a few months right after the G8 Summit in Canada. The theme of the congress will be, Acting now on global challenges – Energy in transition for a living planet, reflects the undeniable sense of urgency that faces the world’s energy sector.
This ACC Web-Edu Program addresses EPA’s recently approved rule requiring annual compilation and reporting of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions. The Rule, which mandates an inventory process that must commence January 1st of 2010, is intended to guide the establishment of a point of regulation for implementing a carbon tax or cap-and-trade system. The requirements apply to all participants in the coal industry—including mines, transporters, and major users, including power plants—that emit more than 25,000 tons of GHGs, or that produce a quantity of fuel which, when combusted, will emit more than 25,000 tons. Two experts in GHG management in mining and energy will discuss the rule, its requirements and compliance strategies.
Presented by AECOM Environment (www.aecom.com)
AECOM is a global provider of professional technical and management support services to a broad range of markets, including transportation, facilities, environmental and energy.
Program
Congress established the New Source Review Permitting Program as part of the 1977 Clean Air Act Amendments (CAAA) with the intent of ensuring that “air quality is not significantly degraded from the addition of new and modified factories, industrial boilers and power plants.”
The program has been subject over the years to widely varying and often contradictory interpretations. On April 24, 2009, EPA announced that it would again reconsider certain aspects of the NSR Permitting Program.
As industrial and utility coal consumers examine the strategic merits and tactical considerations associated with burning various fuels. Assessing fuel flexibility options ~ including the use of treated, enhanced or beneficiated coals ~ requires a better understanding of the implications of NSR.
From the McCloskey Coal conference website,
With the turbulence of 2008 behind us, and 2009’s own turbulence upon us, the global coal markets look for direction.
As buyers, sellers and their transporters adjust to new economic realities, four months of commercial hibernation appear to have given way to a market that seems reminiscent of early 2007, with API2 in the $70-80mt range and Central Appalachian prices in the mid $50s (per short ton). Furthermore, Asian buyers are targeting coking coal prices of $100, which are eerily similar to the FY07 price of $98.
US coal exports for 2008 finished at slightly more than 73mt, well above 2007 levels, but less than many had predicted at the beginning of the year. Coal imports totaled nearly 31mt, down 2mt from 2008, but in line with expectations. We enter 2009 in the face of producer cutbacks, along with deferred capital projects and an attempt to rein in costs. In the power sector, low gas prices have impacted coal generation, which is faced with the delivery of high priced coal purchased during the rising market last year.
Read the rest on the McCloskey website.
Note: Jason Hayes, ACC Communications Director, will take part in a modertated discussion with a representative of the Sierra Club's Beyond Coal Campaign. They will discuss the topic of "clean coal" in the final afternoon session of the first day.
The Lewis & Clark Law School website describes the Greening the Grid conference,
Development of renewable energy sources has become one of the major political and legal issues of our time. Due to concerns related to climate change, energy independence, and escalating fuel and electricity prices, many policymakers, environmental advocates, and entrepreneurs have called for the United States to adopt a new national energy policy that promotes use of renewable energy sources. However, others argue that renewable energy sources will never adequately meet the country’s escalating energy needs. This conference will explore the ongoing debate regarding the U.S. energy policies and consider how the country may revise its energy system to promote sustainable energy sources.
