Kinder Morgan and Arch Coal Sign Throughput Agreement to Further Expand Coal Terminal Network

Kinder Morgan Energy Partners, L.P. (NYSE: KMP) today announced plans to invest approximately $140 million to further expand its coal handling facilities along the Gulf Coast. Concurrently, Arch Coal (NYSE: ACI) has signed a long-term throughput agreement with KMP that will help support the expansion of these export facilities. Also, Arch and KMP are in final discussions to include, in the throughput agreement, port space for coal shipments at KMP-owned facilities on the East Coast.

Upon completion of the proposed terminal upgrades and subject to certain rail service agreements, Arch will ship coal at guaranteed minimum volume levels through KMP-owned terminals. The expansion of KMP's export facilities along the Gulf Coast and East Coast will provide incremental port capacity for Arch's growing seaborne coal volumes.