Many coal companies such as Alpha Natural Resources and Peabody Energy Corporation are mulling over the fate of coal as consumption has continued to decline in the U.S.. Natural gas has undoubtedly given coal companies a run for their money since prices began to slide last year. Moreover, the Environment Protection Agency’s recent regulation to cut emissions will reduce coal-fired power generation in future, which is hurting demand, and it is estimated that nearly 40-60 GW of coal-fired generators will retire by 2020.
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