Public Power Corporation S.A.Athens, Greece

Coal Company Predicts High Prices - Consol Energy's CFO expects coal prices to remain high, even in light of the worldwide economic slowdown, saying that strong demand for US coal exports would mean higher prices for the rest of the year and probably into 2009. Low supply relative to demand is also likely to keep prices higher, while tight credit markets will limit coal acquisitions and mine expansions. Coal prices were more than 30 percent higher in September 2008 than a year ago.

Drug Test Plan Meets Opposition - The federal Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is holding public hearings about the proposed expansion of rules for drug testing. New rules proposed by MSMA include prohibiting possession of drugs and alcohol at coal and other types of underground mines. MSMA also wants to subject job applicants to drug tests, and perform random drug testing on miners. The coal industry and labor unions agree that protections for employees who test positive should be removed, and that mines should be allowed to test saliva, blood, and hair in addition to urine.

Coal Exports Rise - US coal exports increased nearly 83 percent in the first eight months of 2008 compared to a year earlier. Canada is the largest export market for US coal; its demand for coal increased nearly 10 percent. Strong demand also came from markets in Western Europe including the Netherlands with an 87 percent rise; the UK, 63 percent; France, nearly 100 percent; Belgium, 66 percent; and Germany, 59 percent. Demand also rose from developing countries such as Brazil, Egypt, Turkey, India, and Romania.