Rumors of Coal Industry's Looming Death Are Greatly Exaggerated: IEA

"China's appetite for coal, even in the face of international pressure for reducing carbon emissions, will help push the world to a consumption record of 9 billion tons by 2019, according to new projections released this morning by the International Energy Agency.

In fact, IEA projects that rising coal consumption across Asia and other parts of the developing world will largely offset declines in coal use in the United States and Europe, where economic and regulatory headwinds have cut deeply into coal's market share for power generation.

'Despite the public image of a dying industry, coal is still the backbone of electricity generation worldwide -- not to mention steel production -- and produces more than 40 percent of power generated worldwide,' the Paris-based agency said in its latest 'Medium-Term Coal Market Report.'"

Daniel Cusick reports for ClimateWire December 15, 2014.

SEE ALSO:

"Coal Demand Set To Break 9Bn Tonne Barrier This Decade" (Guardian)

"In Navajo Country, Coal Gives Life — And Takes It, Some Say" (Los Angeles Times)

"Canadian Owner of New Elk Coal Mine Near Trinidad Files for Bankruptcy" (Denver Post)

Source: ClimateWire, 12/16/2014