Weekly US coal production totaled an estimated 15.21 million st in the week ended March 17, up 2.7% from the prior week and up 8.6% from the year-ago week, US Energy Information Administration data showed Thursday. Weekly coal production estimates rallied after falling for three straight weeks. Production estimates were up across all major basins even though natural gas prices remain relatively low, a trend that is expected to continue, and coal demand from utilities decreased due to plant closures. S&P Global Platts Analytics estimates utility stockpiles for the week ended March 8 at 109.55 million st, up 1.5% from the week prior but down 33.9% compared with last year. Article continues below… Coal markets are changing in ways no one could have imagined. To remain competitive, you need to know where coal markets stand. Get essential information for traders, risk managers, analysts and other professionals who need unbiased […]