The world of energy has not been kind to coal companies over the past couple years. The emergence of cheap natural gas here in the United States has threatened king coal's crown for the first time in decades. Also, there is the chance that domestic coal demand could decline significantly over the next few years as almost 33% of coal fired power plants reach the end of their economical lives and new environmental regulations on newbuild coal plants could mean other energy sources replace them. Add that to already weak balance sheets for many coal companies and one crazy prediction comes out of it.
One major coal company in the US will file for bankruptcy in 2014.
Tune into the video below where fool.com contributor Tyler Crowe dives deeper into this prediction and why investors should be weary of a turnaround in the prospects for United States coal.
