Coal will continue to provide a major portion of energy requirements in the United States for at least the next several decades. It is imperative that accurate information describing the amount, location, and quality of the coal resources and reserves be available to fulfill energy needs. It is also important that the United States extract its coal resources efficiently, safely, and in an environmentally responsible manner. A renewed focus on federal support for coal-related research, coordinated across agencies and with the active participation of the states and industrial sector, is a critical element for each of these requirements. Coal focuses on the research and development needs and priorities in the areas of coal resource and reserve assessments, coal mining and processing, transportation of coal and coal products, and coal utilization.

Coal, the nation's most abundant fossil fuel and the only one that is exported, represents one of our most valuable natural resources. This study undertakes a thorough review of the economics of the Appalachian coal industry. It establishes, first of all, the international framework within which the American and the Appalachian coal industry function. It next examines the underlying principles that govern the production of and the demand for coal. This demand is influenced not only by price but also by world politics, the economic well-being of dozens of countries, government regulation, and the availability of fuel substitutes. Included are a comprehensive treatment of the regulation of the industry, the effects of coal utilization on air quality, land reclamation, safety, transport, and legislation pertaining to port use. In conclusion, Harvey looks at the prospects for Appalachian coal, considering the impact of technologies such as fluidized bed combustion and coal-water slurry and the issue of energy policy and fuel alternatives. The picture that emerges is not unexpected—an industry whose recovery and enduring health depend on resurgence of world and domestic economic activity, social and political stability, and government regulation.

This study focuses on changing transport patterns caused by the expected shift from oil to coal, assessing the ability of the Nation's transportation systems to carry future volumes of coal, petroleum, natural gas and nuclear materials. Trends in energy commodity transportation are predicted. Areas are identified where capacity problems might require expanded facilities. Also assessed are possible financial, social, safety and environmental constraints on the capability of the system to meet identified needs. Focus is on 1985 and 1990 with few problems anticipated by 1985 and none that would seriously impede energy transportation.