NEW YORK, Oct. 2, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Platts, a leading global energy, petrochemicals, metals and agriculture information provider, has enhanced its cartographic portfolio with the just-released 2014 U.S. Coal Activity Map, a detailed depiction of the industry's key components, from source region to export terminal.

This edition provides data dating back five years on U.S. coal production, as well as the consumption rate and regional source of coal used by power plants. Utilizing Platts high-quality geospatial data, cartographers have indicated consumption by size, source by color, and sulfur-dioxide scrubber* status by shape. Active coal mines are symbolized by mine type (surface, underground) and sized by average coal production.

In addition to its geographical elements, the map features a variety of inset graphs showing coal consumption by source region and type; top coal-consuming power plants; top-producing operators and mines; and illustrations such as the following:

    --  Coal docks
    --  Major U.S. coal terminals
    --  Carbon sequestration locations
    --  Coal-hauling railroads symbolized by ownership
    --  Planned coal-fueled power plants labeled by name
    --  Coal-producing regions colored by primary coal type
    --  Table of U.S. coal mines' names, operators and average coal production
    --  Maps of Northern Appalachia, Central Appalachia, Illinois Basin and
        Alaska
    --  List of U.S. power plants' names, average coal consumption and operating
        capacity

This map is available in both print and digital formats, or as a bundle of the two. The glossy version (42" x 74") is suitable for framing and/or display, and the laminated version (42" x 72") can be marked upon to facilitate analysis and planning. An enhanced CD-ROM encapsulates the wall map's content in a portable format. Click here for full product specifications and purchasing options.

Platts offers more than 50 maps and maps products, in addition to a wide variety of Geographic Information System (GIS) data.

View the full array of Platts coal prices, industry news and analysis offerings here: http://www.platts.com/product-list/coal/all.

*Another name for flue gas desulfurization technology, which "scrubs" or removes sulfur-dioxide (SO(2)) emissions from the exhaust of coal-fired power plants.

About Platts: Founded in 1909, Platts is a leading global provider of energy, petrochemicals, metals and agriculture information and a premier source of benchmark prices for the physical and futures markets. Platts' news, pricing, analytics, commentary and conferences help customers make better-informed trading and business decisions and help the markets operate with greater transparency and efficiency. Customers in more than 150 countries benefit from Platts' coverage of the biofuels, carbon emissions, coal, electricity, oil, natural gas, metals, nuclear power, petrochemical, shipping and sugar markets. A division of McGraw Hill Financial (NYSE: MHFI), Platts is based in London with more than 1000 employees in more than 15 offices worldwide. Additional information is available at www.platts.com.

About McGraw Hill Financial: McGraw Hill Financial, a financial intelligence company, is a leader in credit ratings, benchmarks and analytics for the global capital and commodity markets. Iconic brands include: Standard & Poor's Ratings Services, S&P Capital IQ, S&P Dow Jones Indices, Platts, CRISIL, J.D. Power and McGraw Hill Construction. The Company has approximately 18,000 employees in 30 countries. Additional information is available at www.mhfi.com.

Contact
Asia: Kimitsu Yogachi: +65 6530 6596, kimi.yogachi@platts.com
Europe: Elizabeth Catalano: +44 207 176 6024, elizabeth.catalano@platts.com
Global & U.S.: Kathleen Tanzy: +1 212-904-2860, Kathleen.tanzy@platts.com

SOURCE Platts

SOURCE: Platts