Coal

Analysis & Projections

EIA projects reduced share of electricity generation from coal ›

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Annual Energy Outlook 2013 Early Release, December 5, 2012.
EIA projections for carbon dioxide emissions reflect changes in key drivers ›

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Today in Energy, December 7, 2012.
U.S. monthly coal production ›

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Coal News and Markets report, released weekly.
U.S. coal production by quarter ›

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Quarterly Coal Report.
Coal transportation rate statistics now include rail, barge, and truck ›

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Coal Transportation Rates to the Electric Power Sector , November 16, 2012.

Energy In Brief Articles

What is the role of coal in the United States?

The United States holds the world's largest estimated recoverable reserves of coal and is a net exporter of coal. In 2011, our nation's coal mines produced more than a billion short tons of coal, and more than 90% of this coal was used by U.S. power plants to generate electricity.

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Coal Explained

Where our coal comes from

In 2011, the amount of coal produced at U.S. coal mines was 1,094.3 million short tons. Coal is mined in 25 states. Wyoming mines the most coal, followed by West Virginia, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and Texas.

Use of electricity

Coal is the most common fuel for generating electricity in the United States. In 2011, coal was the fuel for 42% of the 4 trillion kilowatthours of electricity generated in the United States.

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Monthly Energy Review, Coal

Released November 28, 2012

This report includes monthly statistics for coal production, consumption by sector, imports, exports, stocks by sector, and waste coal supplied.

Annual Coal Report

Released November 8, 2012

Includes final 2011 data for U.S. coal production, prices, recoverable reserves, employment, productivity, productive capacity, consumption, and stocks.

Annual Coal Distribution Report

Released November 7, 2012

Provides final 2011 data for domestic coal distribution by origin state, destination state, consumer category, and method of transportation. Also provided is a summary of foreign coal distribution by coal-producing state.

Weekly Coal Production Report

This weekly report provides estimates for U.S. coal production by state based on railroad car loading data: the weekly version of the report contains data for the latest week; and the monthly version of the report contains data for the latest month.