Genscape said that US coal consumption was off 3% in the past week, as widespread easing of summer heat and fuel-switching by power providers cut coal demand.

The power industry data monitor said that use of coal for the week ended Thursday fell 2% from the same week in 2010.

WSI Corp weather service said that "A series of cold fronts marching across the northern tier of the nation finally brought some relief from the heat across the north central and Northeasteren sectors of the nation.”

(Sourced from Reuters)