North American coal markets: what to watch for in 2015

The US coal industry will continue to see severe challenges in 2015. In the near term, low natural gas prices will cut dramatically into the demand for coal, placing significantly more pressure on already challenged coal companies to develop strategies that can add, or at least preserve, value. On the positive side, relative railroad performance should continue to improve. Longer term 2015 may well be a watershed moment for the US coal industry as the Clean Power Plan is finalized.