Coal

Analysis & Projections

U.S. coal production by quarter ›

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Quarterly Coal Report.
U.S. monthly coal production ›

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Coal News and Markets report, released weekly.
Quarterly data for coal shipments between states ›

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Quarterly Coal Distribution Report, released quarterly.
Economic growth continues to drive China's growing need for energy ›

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Today in Energy, September 21, 2012.
Wyoming is the top coal producing state ›

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Wyoming State Energy Profile, October, 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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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.

Monthly Energy Review, Coal

Released September 26, 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 30, 2011

Includes final 2010 data for U.S. coal production, prices, recoverable reserves, employment, productivity, productive capacity, consumption, and stocks.

Annual Coal Distribution Report

Released November 30, 2011

Provides final 2010 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.