The U.S. coal industry is shaping up to be another emerging casualty of the coronavirus pandemic, as lockdown restrictions have severely reduced demand in an already tough business climate.
The Associated Press (AP) writes that demand for coal has steadily dropped over the past decade, outpaced by cheaper alternatives like natural gas and renewable energy sources that are more environmentally friendly.
Upon the onset of the coronavirus-related shutdowns across the U.S., demand has dropped for lights and electricity that power large institutions like schools and businesses.
Think fast! Add Changing America to your Facebook and Twitter
Prior to this lapse, however, U.S. coal production has also been steadily declining in accordance with low demand each fiscal quarter since 2013, despite a slight rebound in 2017, per Energy Information Administration (EIA) data.
The latest market forecasts also point to trouble in the industry, with coal consumption for electric power expected to fall through 2020.
“It will simply be that renewables and gas will keep their market, and coal, being the more expensive fuel, is going to get pushed out even more than it would,” Seth Feaster of the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis told AP.
On top of pessimistic industry forecasts, multiple mines have been ordered to shut down operations to prevent coronavirus outbreaks among workers. Mines in Pennsylvania, Virginia and Illinois have either reduced or suspended operations. Other mines in hotspots like Montana’s Powder River Basin and Wyoming are staggering work shifts to enforce social distancing among miners.
BREAKING NEWS ABOUT CORONAVIRUS IN AMERICA
MAJOR CORONAVIRUS COMPUTER MODEL SAYS SOME US STATES CAN LOOSEN RESTRICTIONS BY MAY 4
EXPERTS: 90 PERCENT OF US CORONAVIRUS DEATHS COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED
HERE’S WHEN THE CORONAVIRUS WILL PEAK IN YOUR STATE
PROTESTS AGAINST LOCKDOWN ORDERS GAIN SUPPORT FROM THE RIGHT
THESE ARE THE JOBS MOST AT RISK FROM CORONAVIRUS
In West Virginia, however, mines are operating normally as essential businesses, despite government officials, union advocates and public health experts asserting that mines are liable to be a quick breeding ground for coronavirus infections.
“The big thing to worry about is that because of the dust exposure could develop black lung, which puts them at an increased risk for severity of the disease. They’re already lung compromised. It’s not going to be good, because this is a respiratory virus,” Michael McCawley, a clinical associate professor at the WVU School of Public Health, told the Times West Virginian.
With many mines having already closed, AP notes that the National Mining Association (NMA) asked Congress and the White House for an $822 million bailout. Despite President Trump’s recent rollbacks on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule that relaxed mercury emission restrictions for oil and coal plants, none of the coal industry’s requests were included in the CARES Act.
AP points out that even if the coal industry received federal funding and relief in the form of tax breaks, it wouldn’t solve the consistent declines in demand.
“Both royalty relief and tax relief depend on your ability to produce or make a profit,” Feaster told reporters. “If there’s no demand and nobody wants to buy, that doesn’t really help you.”
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT CORONAVIRUS
COUNTRIES LED BY WOMEN HAVE FARED BETTER AGAINST THE CORONAVIRUS. WHY?
FAUCI PREDICTS ANOTHER CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK IN THE FALL WITH A ‘VERY DIFFERENT’ OUTCOME
BILL GATES IS NOW THE MAIN TARGET CORONAVIRUS CONSPIRACY THEORIES
HERE ARE THE 6 WAYS THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC COULD END
CAN YOU GET CORONAVIRUS TWICE?
US MAY HAVE TO KEEP SOCIAL DISTANCING UNTIL 2022, NEW STUDY SAYS
changing america copyright.
