September 23, 2022 - West Virginia coal production declined week over week by -9.4%.  Production from the NAPP region of the state declined by -7.9% and production from the state’s CAPP region decreased by -11% from the previous week.  Compared to the same 37 weeks of 2021, year to date West Virginia coal production is up +5.7%.  +4.8% in the NAPP region of the state and +6.9% in the state’s CAPP region. 

U.S. coal production also decreased week over week, decreasing by -9.7%.  Appalachian basin production decreased -9.6%, Interior region coal production declined by -10.4% and Western region coal production decreased -9.6% from the previous week.  Year to date, U.S. coal production is up +3.8% compared to the same 37 weeks of 2021.  +1.3% in the Appalachian coal region, +2.1% in the Interior region and +5.5% in the Western coal region. 

EIA reported spot prices for domestic thermal coal were unchanged from the previous week.  Compared to the same week of 2021, Pricing for Central Appalachian thermal coal is +193.1% higher (+$127.10 / ton), Northern Appalachian +199.9% (+$117.65 / ton), Illinois Basin +447.7% (+$160.75 / ton), Powder River Basin +21.3% (+$2.85 / ton) and Western Bituminous +41.6% (+$12.45 / ton).  Average U.S. natural gas prices declined week over week by -6.7%.  Compared to the same week of 2021, average U.S. natural gas prices are up +46.2% (+$2.66 MMbtu).

According to data reported to the federal Surface Transportation Board, the average number of unit coal trains holding in the entire Northern and Central Appalachian coal regions increased by +0.8 trains per day.  Coal carloads on both state class one railroads decreased week over week by -8.1%.

River barge loadings of West Virginia coal decreased week over week by -10.4%

Domestic iron and steel production increased from the previous week by +0.4%.  Furnace capacity utilization increased +0.5%.  Compared to the same 37 weeks of 2021, year to date U.S. steel production is off -3.8% and cumulative furnace capacity utilization is down -1.4%. 

U.S. electric generation declined week over week by -6%.  Output in the New England, Mid-Atlantic and Southeast regions decreased by -9.4% and generation from the Central Industrial region decreased by -10.9%.  Year to date, U.S. electric generation is up +3.2% compared to the same 37 weeks of 2021.  +2% in the New England, Mid-Atlantic and Southeast regions and +1.6% in the Central Industrial region. 

Total U.S. rail traffic decreased from the previous week by -9.5%.  Coal carloads declined -7.5%, steel making traffic decreased -9.6% and auto making carloads declined -3.3% week over week.  Compared to the same time in 2021, year to date total U.S. rail traffic is off -2.7%.  Coal carloads are up +3.5%, while steelmaking traffic is off -7% and automaking carloads are up slightly at +0.7%.