The Western Coal Traffic League (WCTL) was first formed by a group of electric generators which were commencing their initial use of western coal as a consequence of the OPEC oil embargo and the new federal requirements of 1975 which precluded the use of oil and gas in some old and all new powerplants. In their conversion from oil and gas to coal as a baseload fuel, these new coal consumers faced a formidable array of economic challenges from coal producers, coal transporters, financial institutions, environmentalists, and various local, state and federal regulators. It was the consensus of WCTL's charter members that their effectiveness in prevailing against common challenges would be enhanced through the medium of group action. Hence in 1977, five coal shipping and receiving firms formed WCTL to coordinate, advance and protect their common interests in connection with their utilization of coals mined west of the Mississippi River.
From 1977 to present, WCTL has been at the forefront of every significant matter impacting the delivered prices of western coal including:
- the promulgation of the Coal Rate Guidelines governing maximum rail rates on coal;
- the valuations of coal for federal royalty purposes;
- oppositions to the mergers of western coal railroads and western coal mining companies;
- the defeat of various attempted taxes on the production of western coal.
Many of WCTL's undertakings on behalf of western coal consumers are chronicled in the reports of various courts and agencies.1
WCTL is a voluntary association whose activities are determined by a nine (9) member Executive Board and its President, Vice President and Treasurer.
WCTL holds two (2) meetings each year: Fall and Winter. The Fall meeting, held in Washington, D.C., focuses upon emerging legislative and regulatory developments. The Winter meeting affords the members an opportunity to participate in small seminars and workshops which provide in depth treatment of topics and developments of current interest and concern.
For membership information, please contact:
Bette Whalen, President, Western Coal Traffic League, 1828 L Street, N.W., STE 1000, Washington, D.C. 20036, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
1W. Coal Traffic League v. U.S., 677 F.2d 915 (D.C. Cir. 1982); W. Coal Traffic League v. U.S., 694 F.2d 378 (5th Cir. 1982); W. Coal Traffic League v. I.C.C., 735 F.2d 1408 (D.C. Cir. 1984); W. Coal Traffic League v. Surface Transp. Bd., 169 F.3d 775 (D.C. Cir. 1999); W. Coal Traffic League v. Surface Transp. Bd., 528 U.S. 950 (1999); Western Coal Traffic League v. Union Pac. R.R., STB Finance Docket No. 33726, 4 STB 685 (STB served May 12 2000); W. Coal Traffic League v. Surface Transp. Bd., 216 F.3d 1168 (D.C. Cir. 2000); W. Coal Traffic League v. Surface Transp. Bd., 264 Fed. Appx. 7 (D.C. Cir. 2008).
