Japan coal power plant export push hits U.S. Resistance

(Freight News, Piraeus Greece, 24 October 2014) The United States has challenged the Japanese government over moves to ramp up exports of coal-fired power technology and to offer cheap loans to lure buyers, according to a U.S. source with direct knowledge of the matter... Japan’s shipments of the equipment soared to nearly $8 billion last year as it looks to boost infrastructure exports, defying U.S. calls for developed nations to stop investment in foreign coal projects to curb greenhouse gas emissions... While the issue is unlikely to blow up into a major dispute, it could taint the two allies’ typically close relationship on energy and comes ahead of a November gathering of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development where members are expected to discuss coal-fired power funding.