I've been curious about how much the GFC has reduced coal consumption. Not much, it seems:
The Australian - Felix coal sales pick up sharply as demand grows in China, India

Mr Flannery said more than 500,000 metric tons of coking coal had been shipped to the two Asian giants, mostly to China, as demand had softened from traditional customers such as Japan, South Korea and Taiwan.

"We saw additional demand from China and India, who took up the slack that we copped in the third quarter from our traditional customers not being able to lift all the coal," he told Dow Jones Newswires.

The Australian - Whitehaven Coal on the hunt for $176m as profits lift

The Sydney-based miner issued net profit guidance yesterday for the full year ended June 30 of about $75m and said earnings before interest, tax depreciation and amortisation was expected to be about $130m. Net income was $51.85m a year earlier.

"The result for FY09 is pleasing, given the uncertain economic climate, and reflects both the structural strength in demand for coal and the strong operational performance delivered by Whitehaven's management and employees," managing director Tony Haggarty said.

ABC - Ships queue after bumper coal exports

There is a logjam of ships queued offshore at the Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal on the central Queensland coast, as a result of a record export month.

Other energy resources have seen similar results:
Herald Sun - Record profit for Energy Resources of Australia

ENERGY Resources of Australia has posted a record first-half net profit, thanks to higher production and sales of uranium oxide.

Sky news - Record sales for Origin Energy

Origin Energy has announced record annual production and sales revenue for its exploration and production business.

Exploration and production increased by four per cent, with sales revenue rising 10 per cent to $572 million dollars.

Origin also announced a 50 per cent annual increase in 2P coal seam gas reserves in its Australia Pacific LNG joint venture.

The consequences?
News.com.au - Governments know global climate targets unlikely, says researcher

AN international pledge to peg global warming to two degrees is a pipe dream, and most governments know it, says an Australian researcher.

Does Kevin Rudd have a plan that he is not ready to go public with? He seems to be planning for a future without energy exports:

The Australian - Rudd recovery road with energy exports

KEVIN Rudd's new big essay says we need to prepare for an Australia "beyond the mining booms". The Prime Minister recalls being ridiculed for making this point as opposition leader.

He feels vindicated by the global financial crisis and commodity price slump.

And so his 6000-word essay on Australia's economic growth challenges all but ignores the opportunities from rising resources demand from Asia.

If anything, this "boost to our exporters" will be a "double-edged sword" because it could inflict higher food and petrol prices on Australian families.

Meanwhile, in other energy news::
NZ Herald - Wide range of players eye oil assets

Analysis of the looming shakeup in the fuel sector finds a wide range of possible outcomes as big oil companies review their position.

National Business Review - TrustPower wants partial privatisation of energy SOEs

Listed electricity company TrustPower called for a partial privatisation of New Zealand’s energy SOEs at its annual meeting today, saying a 20% float would help ensure security of power supply.

Stuff.co.nz - Target in the wind

Let's be honest. Our response, no matter how well-intentioned, will make no difference to the impact of climate change, while concerted action by everyone will.

But there is a delicate balancing of issues that will be needed to come up with a target that will work for us.

The science is important, but so too is the economics.

Scoop.co.nz - Marine Energy Fund Opens

Applications are now open for the third round of the Marine Energy Deployment Fund, which aims to get wave and tidal stream energy devices operating in New Zealand waters.

National Business Review - Government backs Greens' biofuel bill

A Green Party bill that sets up a standards regime for biofuels sold in New Zealand passed its first reading in Parliament tonight with the Government's support.

The West Australian - Reserve 15pc gas for WA, oil giants told

Five petroleum giants developing a huge gas field off WA’s Kimberley coast will be required to set aside 15 per cent of the project for domestic industry, according to Colin Barnett.

The Premier’s comments come a day after he warned the partners that they would be required to develop their Browse Basin project at his preferred James Price Point site, north of Broome.

Eco Generation - Solar the fuel for a sustainable future: Flannery

Eminent environmentalist and 2007 Australian of the year, Professor Tim Flannery outlined his vision for a sustainable future and highlighted the significant role solar power has to play in bringing it about.