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Closure of the Port of Baltimore — America’s second-biggest hub for coal — has choked exports of the fossil fuel, with flows expected to plunge 35% this month.

Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm and Sen. Joe Manchin on March 18 announced a program to develop lithium batteries in the U.S. as part of a broader strategy to help Appalachia amid a transition from coal.

Europe is growing increasingly reliant on coal to keep the lights on as the weather turns cold, sending the cost of polluting to a record.

U.S. coal prices surged to the highest level in more than 12 years, threatening to bloat America’s already soaring electricity bills and signaling the fuel isn’t going to get phased out anytime soon.

Coal is on track to disappear from the U.S. power grid by 2033 as the push for a carbon-free electricity system gains strength, according to Morgan Stanley.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A coalition of 22 Democratic-led states sued the Trump administration Aug. 13 over its decision to ease restrictions on coal-fired power plants, with California’s governor saying the president is trying to rescue an outdated industry.

The global coal markets have been on a tear lately. And America’s miners still are tanking.

Carbon emissions from fossil-fuel use hit a record last year after energy demand grew at its fastest pace in a decade, reflecting higher oil consumption in the U.S. and more coal burning in China and India.

An East St. Louis, Ill.-based trucking company president protested the city of Springfield’s decision to award a three-year coal-hauling contract to a Decatur-based firm and asked City Council members on Dec. 11 to instead give the contract to his company.

Mining companies in Australia, the world’s biggest exporter of iron ore and coal, are poised to approve fresh investments in projects, driven by rallying commodity prices and the need to replace depleting deposits, according to global equipment supply giant, Komatsu Ltd.