HOUSTON & ST. LOUIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Kinder Morgan Energy Partners, L.P. (NYSE: KMP - News) today announced plans to invest approximately $140 million to further expand its coal handling facilities along the Gulf Coast. Concurrently, Arch Coal (NYSE: ACI - News) has signed a long-term throughput agreement with KMP that will help support the expansion of these export facilities. Also, Arch and KMP are in final discussions to include, in the throughput agreement, port space for coal shipments at KMP-owned facilities on the East Coast.   

February 1 is right around the corner and that means the Annual WV Mining Symposium begins.  Registration is already over 500, but there is always room for a few more.  A registration form is attached and the agenda for the complete two and one-half days is below.  We have a great group of speakers, a full vendors venue, wonderful food and lots of awards to be announced.  So, PLEASE pre-register so your nametag will be ready when you arrive and we will have good, up-to-date numbers to give to the caterers, as well as for seating.

By Chris Cooper and Kiyotaka Matsuda

Daiichi Chuo Shipping sees boom in US imports as increased use of shale gas frees coal for export

(Updates with closing share price in fifth paragraph.)

Jan. 25 (Bloomberg) -- Daiichi Chuo Kisen Kaisha, a Tokyo- based shipping line, said it’s targeting a boom in coal exports from the U.S. as shale gas production frees up the fuel for sales overseas. The shares jumped the most in three years.

“Exports of coal from the U.S. could easily double in the next three or four years,” Saburo Koide, president of the company, said in an interview in Tokyo yesterday. “We’ve already had several inquiries on shipping coal from there,” he said, declining to name potential customers.

No Need to Panic About Global Warming

There's no compelling scientific argument for drastic action to 'decarbonize' the world's economy.

A candidate for public office in any contemporary democracy may have to consider what, if anything, to do about "global warming." Candidates should understand that the oft-repeated claim that nearly all scientists demand that something dramatic be done to stop global warming is not true. In fact, a large and growing number of distinguished scientists and engineers do not agree that drastic actions on global warming are needed.

On January 23, 2012, a federal judge denied a motion by anti-mining groups to add a NEPA-based health effects claim to a pending challenge to a "fill" permit issued by the Corps of Engineers. In Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition, et al. v. U.S. Army Corps, et al., Civil Action No. 3:11-0149 (S.D. W.Va. 2012), Doc. No. 84 ("Order"), the Court ruled that the proposed additional claim was "futile." This case involves a challenge to a permit issued by the Corps of Engineers under Clean Water Act § 404 permit for Highland Mining Company's Reylas Surface Mine located in Logan County, West Virginia.