Coal: utilities' fuel of the future

An increase in coal-fired utility plants is currently generating 44% of the electric output. New coal-use technologies, coal-oil liquids and other synfuels, power-plant conversions, air-pollution-control technology, fluidized-bed combustion, and other developments indicate that the coal industry is undergoing healthy growth. Both labor and management appear to see a repeat of the 1978 strike as undesirable. The industry, however, paints a gloomy picture of labor problems, idle equipment and mines, excessive regulation, and low productivity that is inconsistent with the prosperity indicated by production and consumption data. Government policies to restore economic and electric power demand growth will help to realize utility plans for new coal-fired generating units in preference to nuclear units. Worldwide coal consumption is expected to increase exports as the industrial countries reduce their oil dependence. 8 figures. (DCK)