A quadratic programming model of the Appalachian steam coal market

Abstract The authors report on an extension of recent modelling efforts to analyse the Appalachian steam coal market using a programming approach. The background to these modelling efforts is examined first. The particular aspects of the steam coal market to be modelled are then presented and the corresponding coal model described. Empirical results are analysed for the 1973 base solution and then compared to alternative solutions embodying variations in the parametric structure. Conclusions are drawn regarding potential policy applications.