Final design and engineering plans are currently under way and are expected to be completed in the fall. At that time, the project’s total cost will be approved by the participants involved.

All of the required permits have been acquired by DTA, and construction could begin by the latter part of this year. A tentative completion date of 2007 has been set.

“The addition of import capability at DTA will position Alpha with enhanced sourcing flexibility to meet future changing needs of our customers,” said Alpha president Michael Quillan.

DTA’s existing export plant was built in 1982 and has a 22mta capacity as well as modern unloading/transloading equipment and an underground storage area. The new import facility is designed to interconnect with the existing plant to meet the highly specific, customized blending needs of its domestic customers.

Alpha Terminal is the largest possessor in DTA, holding a 32.5% interest. Other DTA partners include Peabody Energy (30%), Dominion Energy (20%), and Arch Coal (17.5%).

Alpha Natural Resources operates more than 60 mines and 11 coal preparation and blending facilities in four US states.