Problems are cutting into the West Virginia coal industry’s ability to benefit from record-high prices for coal suddenly needed to fire Europe’s power plants. The mining industry blames railroads and a decline in its own ability to produce coal.
The price for coal imported to Europe topped $400 a ton again Wednesday as the Russian invasion of Ukraine changes that continent’s energy equation. West Virginia coal producers want to cash in on that export trend and record coal prices, but WCHS TV reported problems with rail and river transportation have made it more difficult. CSX indicated it will add more cars and crews to moving coal.