The company I worked for planned their production schedule on the railroad schedule because the coal could not be stored for long periods due to the risks of spontaneous combustion. Coal burning utilities have inventory programs to minimize the risk of spontaneous combustion.
The point I am trying to make is that shipping coal from the PRB may not be that profitable in the long run.
There are two 1.3 mW generators 20 miles from my house. They have been using PRB coal since the mid 80s. They are located in southern Indiana. Coal rides a train to the Mississippi River where is is barged down the Mississippi and then up the Ohio River. They stock pile about 60 days worth.
I think all of the problems that you mentioned have been solved years ago.
I didn’t know about the coal being highly reactive. I did know that the coal is high water content and highly subject to spontaneous combustion. Even the PRB web site warns that coal piles should be covered and BAP, BAT standards should be followed.
I would greatly appreciate it if you would write a comment about the PRB coal for the EIS scoping. This is the period where they will take comments about what needs to be considered by the various agencies before permits can be issued.