Coal stockpiles at electric power plants were above average throughout 2012

Increased competition between fuels as well as a warm winter 2011-12 led to lower consumption of coal and, thus, higher coal stockpiles at electric power plants in the United States through November 2012. Stockpiles in November were above the levels of 2011 as well as the five-year average for an eleventh straight month.Coal stockpiles typically decline during summer and winter as power plants