An Evaluation of the Commerce Department Study on U.S. Steam Coal Imports

In response to a congressional request, GAO analyzed the major assumptions of the Department of Commerce's study on the potential for U.S. steam coal imports, to determine: (1) how increased coal imports would affect the U.S. coal industry; (2) the solvency of the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund; and (3) the extent of U.S. energy independence.