Genscape US coal burn index down 0.03 pct - source

HOUSTON, March 21 (Reuters) - Genscape's U.S. coal burn index fell 0.03
percent in the week ended March 20, a source at the industry data provider said
Friday.

The index, a gauge of power plant demand for coal, was down 0.01 percent
from the same week last year, the source said.

Coal usage east of the Mississippi River fell 0.03 percent while
consumption in the West rose 0.03 percent. The shifts reflect variable weather
as spring arrives, the source said.

Consumption of coal at power plants during the week was 0.02 percent less
in the East and 0.06 percent more in the West than during the same week a year
ago.

The numbers are based on multiple regression analysis of electricity demand
data as well as Genscape power measurements at plants the company monitors
directly, Genscape said.
Region March 20 Last week Yr ago Pct wk Pct yr
National 19.12 19.67 19.31 -0.03 -0.01
East 16.59 17.18 16.87 -0.03 -0.02
West 2.49 2.40 2.34 0.03 0.06
(Reporting by Bruce Nichols, editing by Richard Chang)