Transportation and market analysis of Alaska coal

This report examines the development and marketability of coal from three areas in Alaska. The three areas are the Beluga coal district in south central Alaska near the Cook Inlet, the Kukpowruk River coal district in northwest Alaska, and the Nenana coal field in central Alaska. At each of these si...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Not Available
Language:unknown
Published: 2021
Subjects:
USA
Online Access:http://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/5270494
https://www.osti.gov/biblio/5270494
https://doi.org/10.2172/5270494
Description
Summary:This report examines the development and marketability of coal from three areas in Alaska. The three areas are the Beluga coal district in south central Alaska near the Cook Inlet, the Kukpowruk River coal district in northwest Alaska, and the Nenana coal field in central Alaska. At each of these sites, an assessment was made of the economics of mine development, inland transportation requirements, loading facilities, and overseas transportation costs. Selling prices were developed for coal at both the Alaska port and the port of entry for the potential markets. In addition competitive coal sources (Australia, South Africa, Canada and the contiguous United States) were assessed for export projections and selling price. Legal, institutional and environmental considerations of coal development in Alaska were also addressed. It should be kept in mind that there are many issues that remain untouched by this report. It is recognized that many of these issues, particularly those unique to specific locations of production or consumption or specific routes of transportation, could alter some of the analyses and conclusions of this report in the same way that new data or greater in-depth analyses could affect the economic or institutional considerations. There are five appendices to the report. Appendix A contains detailed information on Alaska coal resources. Appendix B (prepared for DOE by the University of Alaska, Arctic Environmental Information and Data Center in Anchorage, Alaska) is an assessment of potential environmental impacts associated with coal development in Alaska. Appendix C provides a look at competitive coal sources that is more extensive than that provided in the text of the report. Appendix D (developed by the Region X's Office of Regional Counsel) examines the legal and institutional considerations that will affect coal development in Alaska. Appendix E reports new developments in coal utilization technology.