Coal Facts

Coal Facts

Coal Facts are basic information and data related to coal-fired electricity. The facts are mostly drawn from independent sources like DOE’s Energy Information Administration. These coal facts are divided into seven sections:

  • Electricity Sources: How does coal match up with other sources of electricity?
  • Coal Fleet: How many coal-fired power plants operate around the U.S. and how much generating capacity do they provide?
  • Electricity Prices: How do electricity prices in states that use more coal compare with prices in states that use less coal?
  • Coal and Natural Gas Prices: How does the price of coal used for electricity generation compare to that of natural gas?
  • Cleaner Coal: How have coal-burning power plants reduced emissions?
  • States: Which states rely on coal for electricity generation and what states generate the most electricity from coal?
  • Coal Production: What are U.S. coal reserves and production? In which states is coal mined?

Our updated Coal Facts (through Agusut 2018) show that coal-based generation continues to play a major role in the U.S. electricity mix, and will continue to do so for the next few decades. States where coal comprises a larger share of power generation pay less, on average, for electricity.

 

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