NCTA Objective and Discussion Points
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Objective
- Improve upon the processes used in the identification, nomination and scheduling of Third Party trains in the Southern Powder River Basin (brokered and traded tons)
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Discussion Points
- Means for identifying third party trains in the nomination and scheduling process.
- Flexibility to more freely divert third party trains in route to the SPRB.
- Flexibility to broker or trade tons during the month.
NCTA Action Taken
- Set up a beta test; Arch and Triton were the participating producers.
- Mine operators participated by identifying coal supply agreements that could have third party business, implementing a unique numbering system in their contracts that could be used to track third party transactions, and promoting the use of unique identifier in NCTA forecasting process and train scheduling process
Steps Taken in Beta Test
- Supplied a list of affected customers to the L&P Committee chairperson for NCTA follow-up letter requesting voluntary participation by customers
- Determined unique identifier makeup, i.e.
- BT622 for Black Thunder
- NR1087 for North Rochelle
- Assigned unique identifiers to agreements
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Provided unique identifier to customers
Letter from North Rochelle - Listing of Unique Identifiers for 2003
- Explanation (with examples) on how to use the Unique Identifier in the NCTA monthly forecasting process
- Explanation (with examples) on how to use the Unique Identifier in the train scheduling process
- Provided contact information
Identified Benefits
- Nomination of tons in NCTA forecast procedure
- Clear communication paths and reduced errors in identifying and billing
- Diversions can be nominated quickly by utility directly with original purchaser or the mine
NCTA Action
- NCTA requested that all western mine operators and railroads participate in full implementation of the unique identifier system
- Contact NCTA Western L&P chairperson for additional information regarding getting started