ABSTRACT
The United States mines over one billion tons of coal each year to produce 51% of its electricity supply (EIA 2003a, 2003b). Since coal deposits are distant from population and electricity demand, shipping coal generates hundreds of billions of freight transportation ton-miles each year. This transport requires large amounts of energy, generates pollution emissions, and results in the death of about 400 people each year at rail crossings. A major increase in shipments would require new transportation capacity, which is costly to build and maintain.
