It is our intent to keep you and your colleagues abreast of pertinent developments within the coal industry on a frequent basis. 

Accordingly, Coal Forum Headlines is a compilation of daily articles and stories about coal from around the region and the world. Upon reviewing this news stream, if you have suggestions to improve it or make it more useful please let us know.  And lastly, please share this with your colleagues and if they have an interest simply have them visit here to receive future editions directly.

AEP plans to acquire Longview Power plant and nearby gas-project site
WV MetroNews
American Electric Power has agreed to acquire the 710-megawatt Longview coal-fired plant in Monongalia County and the nearby Mountain State Clean Energy development site, which includes permits for a future combined-cycle natural gas plant. AEP says the assets would help meet growing regional electricity demand, subject to federal approvals.

Violations persist at Raleigh County mine after MSHA fatality findings
Charleston Gazette-Mail
Federal mine-safety records show continued violations at a Raleigh County operation after MSHA concluded that failures at the mine contributed to a fatal incident, keeping enforcement and corrective action in focus.

Editorial: Why West Virginia coal is essential for America’s energy future
WV News
A West Virginia editorial argues that coal remains important to dependable power, economic growth and national energy security as electricity demand rises, including from expanding data-center development.

USGS estimates nearly 360 billion tons of coal beneath federal lands
Wyoming Public Media
A new U.S. Geological Survey assessment identifies about 4 billion tons remaining at existing mines and another 356 billion tons that could potentially be developed across the lower 48 states. Roughly half of the undeveloped resource is in Wyoming, though geology, economics and demand will determine what can be mined.

Washington’s only coal power plant plans shift to natural gas backup generation
Washington Department of Ecology
TransAlta plans to convert the Centralia plant from coal to natural gas by 2028 and operate it as a peaker plant for regional backup power. Washington regulators are reviewing the environmental documents and draft air permit, with public comment open through September 6.

Kansas carbon-capture facility begins commercial operation
World Grain
PureField Ingredients has opened a carbon capture and sequestration facility in Russell, Kansas, designed to capture 150,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year from ethanol fermentation and store it underground through a dedicated Class VI injection well.

Global coal consumption reached a record in 2025 as power generation declined
OilPrice.com
The latest Statistical Review of World Energy shows global coal use rose 0.7% to a record 166 exajoules in 2025 even as coal-fired electricity generation slipped 0.3%. China and India together accounted for nearly 70% of worldwide coal consumption.

China expands renewable targets while continuing coal-sector growth
OilPrice.com
China’s new energy plan calls for a major expansion of wind, solar, storage and hydropower through 2030 while maintaining coal capacity to support grid reliability. China accounted for most new global coal capacity entering service in 2025 and most capacity now under construction.