Tri-Cities coal yard says supply tight, price up
October 15, 2008 15:27 EDT

KINGSPORT, Tenn. (AP) -- A coal yard operator says northeast Tennessee homeowners who heat with coal will find the fuel more scarce and costly this winter.

Dale Smith, who owns Smith's Coal and Mulch, said a lot of his customers are concerned about winter fuel.

Company employee David Thomas told The Kingsport Times-News the yard is having difficulty finding wholesale coal, saying power plants are buying what the mines can produce.

The retail cost of coal is about $150 per ton, up $40 from last winter. In December 2004, coal retailed for about $75 per ton.

The Times-News reported a U.S. Census 2007 community survey showed about 520 households in the Tri-Cities area use coal as a primary heating source.

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Information from: Kingsport Times-News, http://www.timesnews.net