Coal Facts

Energy Policy Network > Coal Facts

States that have the largest percentages of electricity generated from coal benefit from lower electricity prices.

States that generate, on average, less than 8% of their electricity from coal pay an average of 24% more than the national average price of electricity.

States that generate, on average, nearly 70% of their electricity from coal pay an average of 13% less than the national average.

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Electric Power Monthly, February 2016.

Coal Usage vs. Electricty Rates in United States map
Leading Electricity Source
Coal generates more electricity in the U.S. than any other fuel.
Supports Economy
Each coal mining job supports nearly 4 jobs elsewhere in the economy.
Major Industry
Coal is mined in 25 states, directly employs 66,000 people in high-wage jobs with an average salary of more than $80,000 and indirectly supports more than 805,000 additional jobs.
Emission Controls
Owners of coal-fired generating units are expected to spend an additional $16 billion for emission controls from 2016 through 2020.
Billions Invested
By 2020 the U.S. coal fleet will have invested $127 billion in emission controls. More than $64 billion has been spent over the past ten years.
Clean-Coal Technology
Through the use of clean coal technologies, today’s new coal-fueled power plants emit 90% fewer emissions than the typical plant they replace.
Industrial Uses
Coal is used in the steel, paper, cement, and plastics industries for water purification and in fuel cells and electronics.
Wildlife Restoration
U.S. coal operations have reclaimed more than 2.5 million acres of mined land, restoring them to natural conditions that provide recreational opportunities.
Global Consumption Increase
By 2035, global consumption of coal is projected to increase by about 40%.