Coal shortage threatens Queensland power

Via abc.net, by finance reporter Elysse Morgan and staff.
People across flood stricken south east Queensland are facing further electricity cuts, as power stations run low on coal stocks.
The floods have closed mines, and cut transport links; including rail lines, leaving power stations struggling to get enough coal.
CS Energy's Swanbank power station west of Brisbane, which supplies power to a million homes in the city, has three weeks supply left.
But its coal source in the Darling Downs remains cut off.
CS Energy chief executive David Brown says the company is considering trucking in coal in from other areas.
"We'll look at our fuel situation very carefully to ensure continued supply into the grid, we are looking at alternative sources of coal to that station should we not be able to get coal transported to the station," he said.
One of the company's power stations at Kogan Creek near Chinchilla, is relying on its staff being flown in and out to operate it, as it is cut off from any other transport links.
David Brown says a helicopter service has been in place for three weeks now and will remain until the water recedes.
This comes in addition to power cuts made by electricity supplier, Energex overnight.
It cut its power supply to the Ipswich central business district as authorities prepare for the biggest flood in more than 3 decades.
Energex spokesman Danny Donald says it is a question of safety.
"We will commence disconnection of the central business district of Ipswich and quite a number of surrounding suburbs as well," he said.
Energex says supplies will be restored once floodwaters recede and it assesses amount of damage caused to its network.