Texas Precipitation 2.5 times as large this year compared to 2011 « Reasonable Doubt on Climate Change

Last year climate scientists were in a tizzy over the Texas drought:

Gov. Perry, who failed to stop the drought with his prayer proclamation, yesterday dismissed any worries about the Texas drought while speaking at the Iowa State Fair. Perry said, “we’ll be fine. As my dad says, it’ll rain. It always does.“

1974 : Drought And Flood Blamed On Global Cooling | Real Science

Temperatures had dropped more than half a degree prior to these droughts and floods. Climatologists now blame the identical phenomenon on global warming.

A Short Guide To The Climate Impact Of Coal Exports | ThinkProgress

It all comes down to the difference between the cost of producing and transporting Powder River Basin coal and the value of that coal in Asian markets.  That difference appears to be huge.

PRB coal isn’t dirt cheap.  It’s cheaper (than, say, top soil or gravel).