The Quarterly Coal Report (QCR) provides detailed quarterly data on U.S. coal production, exports, imports, receipts, prices, consumption, and coal quality and stocks. Data on U.S. coke production, consumption, stocks, imports, and exports are also provided. Form EIA-3 frame analysis has resulted in data adjustments in the quarterly data. All data for 2010 and prior years are final. All data for 2011 and prior years are final, with the exception of coal production, and electric power sector consumption and stocks. All data for 2012 are preliminary.

Highlights for first quarter 2012:

• U.S. coal production during the first quarter 2012 totaled 266.4 million short tons (mmst). This was 5.7 percent lower than the previous quarter and 2.6 percent lower than the first quarter 2011. The most significant decreases were in the State of Wyoming, where production decreased by 10.7 percent from fourth quarter 2011 and 3.0 percent from first quarter 2011.

• U.S. coal imports totaled 2.0 mmst, 25.1 percent lower than fourth quarter 2011 and down 40.2 percent from first quarter 2011. Colombian steam coal imports, which accounted for 78.8 percent of total U.S. imports in first quarter 2012, decreased by 10.8 percent quarter-over-quarter and 42.1 percent from first quarter 2011. U.S. coal exports totaled 28.6 mmst in first quarter 2012. Exports increased by 3.5 percent from fourth quarter 2011 and 7.6 percent from first quarter 2011. Exports to Asian markets accounted for approximately one-fourth of all coal exports in first quarter 2012.

• Total U.S. consumption for first quarter 2012 (206.9 mmst) was the lowest since second quarter 1988. Coal consumption fell to 189.9 mmst in the electric power sector.

• Total U.S. stocks increased to 244.4 mmst in the first quarter 2012 from 224.7 mmst in the fourth quarter 2011.

 

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