Coal Age

JUL 2016

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July 2016 www.coalage.com 11 news continued Armstrong is contracted to produce about 5.6 million tons in 2016, down more than 20% from 7.7 million tons in 2015. For 2017, Armstrong so far has 4.3 million tons of coal contracted. Mining Industry POV-free for First Time The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) confirmed June 30 that, for the first time since reforms were implemented in 2010, there are no mines that are eligible for Pattern of Violation (POV ) status. More than 13,000 mining operations across the U.S. were screened by the agency. Comparatively, MSHA identified 51 mines that met the criteria at the time the outlines were launched in 2010, and five years later that figure dropped to one. Arch Reverses Self-bonding Position After previously stating it did not have the financial ability to come up with the guaranteed financing to cover its reclama- tion obligations, Arch Coal has reversed course and confirmed it can afford to replace the money if required. In a recent U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filing, the compa- ny — which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in January — said it can handle $485 million in unsecured reclamation liabilities. While it is not yet known if it will need to self-bond, Arch reportedly said June 14 that it was in negotiations with regu- lators in Wyoming over the issue. "The debtors are continuing to work with the state of Wyoming to re-evaluate their bonding liability and to determine the extent to which the debtors will be permitted to self-bond upon the effectiveness of the plan. The debtors believe that they have the financial resources to obtain such third-party financial assurances if necessary," the company wrote, according to the Casper Star Tribune. Arch spokesperson Logan Bonacorsi said that, as the pro- ceedings of their case move forward, the company is hoping to gain better insight into the issue. "We are committed to hav- ing the necessary financial assurances in place to meet state requirements on our reclamation obligations," she said. The St. Louis-based operator had previously said in its bank- ruptcy documentation that having to replace any self-bonding monies would impact its liquidity and potentially keep it from coming out of Chapter 11. A February deal the company signed to cover $85 million of its obligations lasts only as long as its bankruptcy case. FPL Buys Coal Plant, Plans Immediate Phase-out For the second time in as many years, Florida Power & Light (FPL) announced plans to purchase a coal-fired power plant — this time the 330-megawatt Indiantown Cogeneration complex in a deal worth $451 million — with the intention of closing it. "While many years ago it made sense to buy this plant's pow- er to serve our customers, we're now able to purchase the facility and phase it out of service, preventing potentially harmful carbon emissions while saving our customers millions of dollars," said Eric Silagy, FPL president and CEO. FPL has not been shy about its mission to become one of the state's cleanest energy companies and among the cleanest in the U.S., and has long cited its commitment to the Environmental Protection Agency's Clean Power Plan. This patented design incorporates slots at opposing 45 degree angles creating a zigzag fl ow which increases retention time, providing increased drain rates per square foot. The slots' orientation in relation to the machine's motion helps prevent particles from being driven into the apertures, reducing pegging and blinding problems often associated with fi ne sizing. Call us at 1-864-579-4594 or visit polydeckscreen.com/coal to fi nd the Polydeck Regional Manager in your area. VST panels incorporate slots at opposing 45 degree angles. Available in .65mm, .85mm, and 1mm apertures. Learn more at polydeckscreen.com/vst

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