Abundance

Coal is our most abundant fuel

The United States has more coal than any other fuel. A quarter of all of the known coal in the entire world is here in America, and large coal deposits can be found in 38 states.

In fact, we’ve got more coal than the rest of the world combined has oil.

U.S. coal production has reached record levels, and the number is expected to continue to climb higher still. America produced 1.132 billion short tons of coal in 2005, up 1.7 percent from the 2004 level. In addition, all three major coal-producing regions in the U.S. (Appalachia, Western and Interior) saw an increase in their production levels.

At the current rate of consumption, we are capable of meeting domestic demand for more than 200 years.

Without coal, America would be forced to rely more upon imported energy sources to meet our electricity needs.