Coal Production Continues to Dominate Electricity Generation and Effect Energy Policy

– Phoenix, AZ – The production of coal continues to be essential to energy generation throughout the world. According to the World Coal Outlook Report, over 41% of global electricity generation is coal-powered, according to a new report released by Energy Business Reports.

The global market for coal persists as a source of electric power, but the necessity of the industry is highlighted by its use in steel and cement production and several other industrial activities. And while governments continue to seek alternatives to oil and gas, the coal supply continues to be plentiful, with 119 years of coal currently available.

As a plentiful resource, coal continues to play an important role in domestic energy policy. Globally, coal remains vital, and the U.S. exported nearly seven percent of its coal to foreign countries in 2008. The report analyzes major coal producing countries such as China, India, Australia, South Africa, Russia, and Poland, as well as the U.S. China in particular has a major role in the world stage, as the largest consumer of coal as well as the largest user of coal-derived electricity.

“One cannot look at the economic growth of China without looking at its coal usage,” said Barbara Drazga, Publisher, EnergyBusinessReports.com. “Coal production rose 8.1% in 2007, and China has enough coal to sustain its economic growth for over a century.” Coal remains a major driver of the Chinese economy, with the largest coal enterprises in China seeing profits of over 67 billion yuan in 2007, or $8.75 billion.

According to the report, “World Coal Outlook,” U.S. coal production in 2008 was 1.17 billion tons, a 95 percent increase over the notorious gas-shortage days of 1973. The report analyzes global coal production and consumption trends, along with details on the coal trade, geographic distribution of coal production, the emergence of a single coal market, shipping and freight rates, and coal extraction technologies.

The comprehensive report provides an in-depth analysis of the global coal market, including details on new coal technologies such as coal gasification and other clean coal technologies. Further analysis of regulatory frameworks, and how environmental legislation impacts the coal industry is included.

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http://energybusinessreports.com/shop/World-Coal-Outlook …


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