Joe Craft: No, I think that in fact, I guess it’s probably given us some more optimism that our coal operations will continue longer than when we started looking at some of this diversification. So we believe that our demand is going to be extended longer than what we thought at the time we entered into this type of strategy several years ago. Now as far as some of the things we’re looking at, because of the growth in the data centers and some of the areas of — if you look at various components of data centers and you look at the land aspect and where these data centers are located, we see that there could be some opportunities for us in participating in that value chain in some way. So we’re exploring that. So as we think about different things we can invest in, we’re very, very focused on only looking at those things where we have core competencies and that we have either relationships and or skills that have been demonstrated by our past experience.
And so, as I mentioned, what’s gone on in the data center world has definitely opened opportunities for us to consider beyond some of the things that we’ve already talked about previously of trying to work in areas that we feel like we can invest in companies and then be suppliers to those companies and/or utilize some of the technology and be able to either manufacture, sell, service in growing our matrix subsidiary and other things that may relate to the significant demand that’s going on with the various technology advantages or advances that are occurring. The fact that data centers, as an example, just last week in Indiana, Amazon announced an $11 billion data center investment in Indiana, and Google announced a $2 billion investment in Indiana.
So those are significant new adds and we expect that several other announcements will be made over the course of this year. As the United States continues to want to be a first mover in the artificial intelligence world relative to their view of that and the national security implications of being a first mover relative to China as an example. So no, it hasn’t changed. It does give us a little bit more cash flow as we think about investing. I think that we also feel more confident today on oil and gas based on where we see the demand for oil and gas over the next couple of decades. So we do believe there’s opportunities for us to be able to invest the cash flow that we are going to have that’s going to allow for growth for our unit owners.
Eve Segal: Okay, last question, is there an opportunity for you to grow the coal that you export, to take advantage of the growth in coal demand?
Joe Craft: We don’t, you know, we see from the United States position for export thermal to be relatively flat. So we do not see that as a growing part of the opportunity. Now, we may be able to pick up some more market share, but we don’t see the actual absolute increase in demand for international markets for thermal coal. And we’re not planning on that over the next decade.
Eve Segal: Got it. All righty. Well, thanks so much.
Operator: Thank you. We have no further questions at this time. Mr. Marshall, I would like to turn the floor back over to you for closing comments.
Cary Marshall: Thank you, operator. And to everyone on the call, we appreciate your time this morning as well as and also your continued support and interest in Alliance. Our next call to discuss our second quarter 2024 financial and operating results, is currently expected to occur in July, and we hope everyone will join us again at that time. This concludes our call for the day. Thank you.
Operator: Ladies and gentlemen, this does conclude today’s teleconference. You may disconnect your lines at this time. Thank you for your participation and have a wonderful day.
