GLG News by Council Members Knowledgeable on NOx Emissions

President Bush’s decision to stop by CO2 emissions by 2025 and USDOE’s intent to commercially demonstrate Carbon [CO2] Capture and Sequestration [CCS] by 2015-2016] time tables show that the USA can keep relying on Coal while avoiding Global Warming Predictions [80% CO2 reductions by 2050].

    The BNSF and other railroads charge in new coal transportation tariffs and contracts a fuel surcharge to recover the cost of fuel.  Other freight moves also come under fuel surcharges.  The commentary that follows discusses by the numbers the BNSF’s fuel surcharge on...

    The EPA is currently being challenged in the courts by both the states and industry over various aspects of the Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR).  The outcome of the case could provide an opportunity for those trading SO2 allowances.

    SO2 allowances are traded daily in the broker and private party markets.  The value of these credits are down, affecting both the cost to generate electricity on coal and the realized sales price received by coal suppliers.

    The Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR) requires a further reduction in NOx from coal-fired power plants starting in 2009.  This reduction in NOx will add to the dispatch cost from coal-fired generation.

EPA regulations in 2010 will require significant reductions in NOx emissions from diesel trucks.  SCR catalysts are the likely solution for most OEMs but Cummins and International have announced plans to proceed without SCR.   Significant fuel cost and performance tradeoffs are being...

Of course the mining industry (and industry in general) would be bolstered if policy makers were concerned with facts and turned away from this dangerous scheme of restricting economical and practical energy sources based on fanciful computer modeling runs.  The so-called...

Demand for sulfuric acid continues to grow in fertilizer and metals applications.  As prices skyrocket ethanol producers are finding their margins squeezed.  Sustained demand for acid in Ag and mining sectors may keep sulfuric acid prices at or above current levels for the foreseeable fut...

    Coal lease rates in the PRB are climbing and will cut in coal companies’ margins as exhibited by Foundations recent successful lease bid and Rio Tinto’s higher, but unsuccessful bid.  Also, the upfront payments are due often before the coal is even mined.

China is investing $1 billion a month in energy infrastructure development which should be a huge business opportunity for US firms, according to US Senator Maria Cantwell after meeting with Chinese energy officials.  The timing of the meeting with the newly reorganized...