Weekly US coal production totaled an estimated 15.1 million st in the week ended May 30, the lowest level in the last five years, US Energy Information Administration data showed Thursday. The estimate was down 6.1% from the prior week and down 20.7% from the year-ago week. It marks the 15th straight week of declining coal production estimates when compared with year-ago levels. The EIA does not comment on its production estimates, but low natural gas prices and increasing coal stockpiles are largely behind the drop in production. Platts unit Bentek Energy estimated coal stockpiles stood at 168.7 million st as of May 28, roughly 24% higher than the same time last year, and up 1% from the five-year average for the week. Article continues below… Platts Global Coal Alert brings real-time coal industry information to those who can’t afford to wait until tomorrow to get market coverage and […]