Curtis Bay Piers and its National Security Role

Repost of this article outlines the national security implications of coal shipments out of CSX’s Curtis Bay Piers (June 15, 2024).

Introduction to Coal and National Security. Last summer, this Author wrote a couple of articles giving voice to concerns about threats to close Curtis Bay Piers by various community groups, university students, all the way up to people in the Maryland State Government. While these groups wanted to close Curtis Bay Piers for some time, the importance of these CSX coal shipping piers in national security came into sharp focus with the destruction of the bridge and the blockage of the piers. As friends of CSX, we should understand both the importance of what coal means for national security and our energy near-future. You will gain a further appreciation of every CSX coal train after reading this post, and the next post too!

The Port of Baltimore and the pursuit of US national security interests. The destruction of a bridge by a passing ship caused the blockage of ship traffic at the Ports of Baltimore. The blockage of CSX’s Curtis Bay Piers (the Piers) was a special concern for experts in national security, because of the important place it occupies in the export of coal in the support of US national security interests (Budrik March 24, 2024; The Maritime Executive, March 24, 2024). The return of operations to the Port of Baltimore and the Piers in a quick manner would send an important signal to both friends and foes.

What is energy security? Access to abundant energy is security and stability for a country. Energy powers a nation’s education, agriculture and food supply, business, communications, transportation, and national defense. Geoffrey R. Pyatt of the Atlantic Council defines energy security as energy access and supply without threat of coercion, and without concern over dependencies. It means a country has a choice in its own affairs and can act independently in the international arena (February 7, 2024).

In 2008, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, NATO, defined energy security as an important role for the Alliance. NATO recognized that energy developments and monopolies on energy sources in the international environment have implications for the security and unity of the Alliance (NATO, January 11, 2024). Russian dominance of European energy markets and the use of energy as a tool of coercion have made the case of how much European security and US national security are tied to energy security.

“Energy independence and security means having enough energy to meet demand, as well as protecting power systems and infrastructure from physical attacks and cyber threats. Given these facts, the United States should be focused on bolstering the resiliency of its own energy supply chain – as well as strengthening connections with allies who are also concerned about the rise of Chinese and Russian influence around the world – by prioritizing the restoration of the Port of Baltimore. This will not only restore a vital link in the nation’s energy supply chain but also signal to adversaries that the United States is committed to safeguarding its infrastructure and, by extension, its ability to act freely on the international stage” (Rob Maness April 18, 2024 – emphasis mine).

Pyatt also believes that “the safest source of energy is the energy we build for ourselves and can share with our allies” (Pyatt, February 7, 2024). After Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the need is now to transition European countries that are dependent on Russian energy sources toward first, what we can share (coal) and latter build (cleaner energy). Coal plays an important role in European energy security (U.S. Energy Information Administration, March 28, 2024).

We can and should build safe sources of energy that include coal as an answer to energy security. Most of the coal exported from the Port of Baltimore has been destined for locations other than Europe and American allies. Exports of coal from the Port of Baltimore made up 28 percent of national coal exports, the second-largest share of coal exports for 2023. The majority of US coal exports are steam coal used to generate electricity, followed by coal used in steel production, mostly going to Asia. According to national security expert Rob Maness, a growing portion of coal exports increasingly go to Europe as American allies turn away from Russian energy sources and the dependence it brings (Maness April 18, 2024; Pyatt, February 7, 2024).

The world is hungry for coal and coal is the most abundant source of electricity on the planet. Coal is affordable, and reliable and helps transform societies and lift them up out of poverty, according to Matt Mackowiak (November 6, 2023). Emerging nations cannot get up and move forward into “cleaner” forms of energy without first establishing an energy baseline that is based on coal. The US is the home of the largest coal reserves in the world and the entire globe needs more coal. As countries embrace efforts toward energy security and independence, coal is the base commodity of their national energy projects (Nolan, August 22, 2022).

We need to understand that coal is important for developing countries get a start toward economic prosperity. Coal can help US friends and allies avoid sources that can put our collective security at risk. In our own country, coal power can be a powerful source of energy to help fuel the powerful computers that will run powerful AI programs. Until there are cleaner sources, which will take some time to develop, the world needs coal and the US can supply.

Enjoy CSX coal trains. They’re symbols of freedom for our Allies!

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References

Budrik, Zack. Port of Baltimore closure shuts down No. 2 US coal export hub. The Hill. March 24, 2024. https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/4561888-port-of-baltimore-closure-shuts-down-number-two-u-s-coal-export-hub/ Accessed June 13, 2024.

Mackowiak, Matt. Coal: A Proven Path Out of Global Poverty. Politico. November 6th, 2022. Accessed June 15, 2024.

Maness, Rob. National Security Implications of the Baltimore Bridge Catastrophe. Real Clear Defense. April 18, 2024. https://shorturl.at/Gl7qx Accessed June 13, 2024.

The Maritime Executive. Closure of Baltimore Port Impacts Coal Exports and Bulk Trades Warns US EIA. https://shorturl.at/khB2O Shortened URL. Accessed June 13, 2024

Nolan, Rich. U.S. Coal Can Support Global Energy Security. National Mining Association. August 22, 2022. Accessed June 15, 2024

North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Energy Security. January 11, 2024. https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/topics_49208.htm Accessed June 14, 2024.

Pyatt, Geoffrey R.. Energy Security is Global Security. Atlantic Council. February 7, 2024. https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/content-series/global-energy-agenda/energy-security-is-global-security/ Accessed June 13, 2024.

U.S. Energy Information Administration. What are the energy impacts from the Port of Baltimore closure? March 28, 2024. https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=61663 Accessed June 14, 2024.