This can happen when there is no suitable railway or waterway to transport the coal, or when it must be moved very long distances.
[citation needed] Water used to transport the coal is likewise significant, particularly in arid regions like the Southwestern United States.
The 1,580-megawatt (2,120,000 hp) Mohave Generating Station in Laughlin, Nevada had the longest coal slurry pipeline in the world at 273 miles (439 km).
[citation needed] From 1969 until 2005, the pipeline used 4,500 acre-feet (5,600,000 m3) of water per year to carry about 5 million tonnes (4,900,000 long tons; 5,500,000 short tons) of coal to the plant from the Black Mesa Mine in the northeastern corner of Arizona.
The plant was shut down on December 31, 2005 because the controversial coal and water supply terms were being renegotiated.