The United States could vault back into the top rank of coal exporters for good this year thanks to Asia’s fuel demand — just as surging gas output and tougher environmental laws threaten mainstay domestic sales.

Analysts say total U.S. coal exports could amount to around 100 million tons (91 million tons) this year, leaving only Australia and Indonesia above it in the world export rankings, and putting it above Russia, Colombia and South Africa.

The economic boom in China and India has been the driver, but the developing world is also turning more to the United States to make up for supply shortfalls, particularly buyers who want very high energy-content U.S. fuel regardless of its high-sulphur content.

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