WEST VIRGINIA (LOOTPRESS) – West Virginia coal produced has increased the week ending April 24 by +3.8%, with output in both the NAPP and CAPP regions of the state increasing week over week.
For the week ending May 1, statewide production slipped by almost -2%, driven by a -3.2% decrease in NAPP production.
CAPP production increased from the previous week for the week ending on May 1 by almost +1%. Year to date, compared to the same time in 2020, statewide coal production is off by -2.9%. While production from the NAPP region of the state is up YTD by +8%, output in the state’s CAPP region is off by almost -14%.
National coal production increased by +4.3% for the week ending April 24, production decreased by almost -2% for the week ending May 1. Coal production in the entire Appalachian basin followed a similar trend, increasing by +2.4% the week ending April 24 and decreasing by -0.56% for the week ending May 1.
Year to date, compared to the same time in 2020, National coal production is off by -0.4% and production from the entire Appalachian region is off -5.7%. Coal production in the entire NAPP thermal region is off by -3% and implied national met production is down by -7.9%.
NAPP thermal coal prices increased for the week ending May 1 by +3.1% (+$1.60). CAPP thermal prices were unchanged, while prices for ILB and Western bituminous coal decreased slightly. Average natural gas prices increased by +2.5% (+$0.07) from April 24 to May 1.
Domestic iron and steel production increased for the two weeks- +0.62% for the week ending April 24 and +0.39% for the week ending May 1. Year to date, compared to the same time last year, domestic iron and steel production is up +4% and furnace capacity utilization is up +4.75%.
U.S. electric generation also increased for the two weeks- +1.2% for the week ending April 24 and +3.2% for the week ending May 1.
U.S. rail traffic increased for the two weeks: +0.9% for the week ending April 24 and +0.46% for the week ending May 1.