Overview of U.S. Coal Production and Consumption
Coal Industry Adaptation to Market and Environmental Influences
Because of its abundance and historically low cost, coal is an important fuel source in the United States, accounting for about 20 percent of total energy use in 2011. Nearly all coal consumed in the United States is produced domestically, and coal represents about 29 percent of all domestically produced energy. U.S. coal production generally increased since 1960 and reached its highest level in 2008. Advancements in mining technology and a shift to using surface mines to a greater extent than underground mines has boosted coal’s overall productivity and enabled production to increase even as the number of workers decreased. In…
