Ameer Randolph
The United States is the third-largest consumer of coal in the world, with China and India taking the top spots. In 2022, the US consumed about 513 million short tons of coal, which was about 9.8% of its total energy consumption. While coal consumption has been declining since its peak in 2005, the US still relies heavily on fossil fuels, with coal and other fossil fuels providing 80% of the country's energy and 70% of its electricity. Utilities purchase more than 90% of the coal consumed in the US, and coal-fired power plants have been closing down due to the increasing availability of natural gas and renewables.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Coal consumed in the US in 2022 | 513 million short tons (MMst) |
| Coal's share of US energy consumption in 2022 | 9.8% |
| US ranking in world coal consumption | 3rd |
| US coal consumption in 2016 | 731,071,000 short tons |
| US coal production in 2022 | 0.594 billion short tons |
| Recoverable coal reserves in the US | 250 billion short tons |
| US coal consumption in 2023 | 387.17 million short tons |
| US coal consumption in 2008 | 1 billion short tons |
| US coal consumption in 2005 | 1 billion short tons |
| US coal consumption in 2006 | 1,027 million short tons |
| US coal consumption in 2024 | 466 million tons (predicted) |
| US coal consumption in 2008 | 2.8 million tons per day |
| US coal consumption in 2023 | 1.1 million tons per day |
| US coal consumption in July 2023 | 19.1% market share |
| US coal consumption in August 2023 | 19% market share |
| US coal consumption in April and May 2023 | 13.8% market share |
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What You'll Learn
- Coal consumption in the US fell to 387.17 million short tons in 2023
- Coal is the third-largest source of energy in the US
- Coal consumption in the US peaked between 2005 and 2008
- The US has 254,197 million tons of proven coal reserves
- Coal use in the US is declining due to cheaper, cleaner energy sources
Coal consumption in the US fell to 387.17 million short tons in 2023
The consumption of coal in the US has been on a downward trajectory since 2005, primarily due to a decline in the electric power sector's use of coal and a decrease in its energy content. In 2023, coal consumption in the electric power sector fell to 387.17 million short tons, a significant drop from previous years. This decline can be attributed to various factors, including the increased availability and lower prices of natural gas, the rise of renewable energy sources, and stricter environmental regulations.
The US has vast coal reserves, estimated at about 250 billion short tons, with recoverable reserves projected to last about 422 years. However, the utilisation of these reserves is uncertain due to the shift away from coal. In 2022, coal consumption in the US totalled 513 million short tons, representing 9.8% of the country's total energy consumption, the lowest percentage since 1949. The average share of electricity generated from coal has also decreased, dropping from 52.8% in 1997 to 19.7% in 2022.
The decline in coal usage has had a significant impact on coal-fired power plants. In 2017, there were 359 coal-powered units across the US, a substantial reduction from the 1024 units in operation in 2000. The number of coal plants has continued to decrease, with closures driven by cheaper and cleaner alternatives, such as natural gas, and stricter environmental regulations to combat pollution and global warming.
While coal consumption has decreased, the US remains a major consumer of coal globally, ranking third after China and India. However, the outlook for coal power in the US continues to deteriorate, with the EIA predicting a further decline in coal's market share in 2024. The decision by plant owners to reduce their coal usage has resulted in a significant drop in power generation at both utility and independent power producer coal plants in 2023.
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Coal is the third-largest source of energy in the US
In 2022, the US consumed about 513 million short tons (MMst) of coal, which was about 9.8% of its total energy consumption. This is a decline from previous years, with coal consumption having peaked in 2005 in terms of energy content and in 2007 based on weight. The primary use of coal in the US is to generate electricity, with the electric power sector accounting for the majority of coal consumption since 1961.
The US is the third-largest consumer of coal in the world, after China and India. China's consumption is significantly higher, reaching 86.17 exajoules compared to the US's 10.57 exajoules. In 2023, coal consumption within the electric power sector in the US fell to 387.17 million short tons, a significant decline from the peak of over one billion short tons between 2005 and 2008. This decline has been attributed to the increased availability of natural gas, renewable energy sources, decreased consumption, and stricter environmental regulations.
Utilities purchase more than 90% of the coal consumed in the US, and there were over 200 coal-powered units in the country in 2024. However, coal plants have been closing since the 2010s due to the adoption of cheaper and cleaner alternatives like natural gas and renewables. The average share of electricity generated from coal in the US has dropped from 52.8% in 1997 to 19.7% in 2022.
Despite the decline in coal consumption, it still plays a significant role in the US energy landscape. Along with other fossil fuels, coal provides 80% of the country's energy and 70% of its electricity. The US has also been slow to adopt coal phase-out initiatives, refusing to sign the coal phase-out agreement at the COP26 climate summit in 2021. The country has vast coal reserves, estimated at about 250 billion short tons of recoverable coal, which could last for centuries.
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Coal consumption in the US peaked between 2005 and 2008
Coal consumption in the US has been on a steady decline since its peak between 2005 and 2008. During this period, US coal consumption exceeded one billion short tons annually. The decline in coal consumption is primarily attributed to the increased availability and adoption of renewable energy sources, such as natural gas, and stricter environmental regulations.
In 2005, the total coal extraction was around 229 million short tons, accounting for 4% of global coal extraction. However, by 2012, global coal production had exceeded 8 billion tons per year, and it has remained above this level since then. The US played a significant role in this growth during the 2000s, with China accounting for 85% of the increase in global coal consumption.
The shift away from coal in the US is evident in the electric power sector, which has been the primary consumer of coal since 1961. In 2006, the US electric generation sector consumed 1,027 million short tons of coal, or 92.3% of the coal mined in the country. However, due to the emergence of shale gas and renewable energy sources, coal consumption in this sector declined substantially from 2009 onwards. By 2012, there was a notable 21% reduction in coal use for electricity generation compared to 2011 levels.
The decline in coal consumption in the US is also influenced by the efforts of utility companies to shut down and retire aging coal-fired power plants. The Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) implementation of the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAP) has further accelerated this process. As a result, coal's share of electricity generation has dropped significantly. In 2022, coal generated about 19.5% of electricity at utility-scale facilities in the US, a considerable decrease from 38.6% in 2014 and 51% in 2001.
While coal consumption in the US peaked between 2005 and 2008, it is important to note that global coal consumption reached an all-time high of 8.5 billion tons in 2023. However, the future outlook suggests a plateau or a slight increase in global coal demand, with projections of 8.77 billion tons in 2024 and a similar level through 2027.
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The US has 254,197 million tons of proven coal reserves
The United States is the third-largest consumer of coal in the world, after China and India. In 2022, the US consumed about 513 million short tons of coal, which was equal to about 9.8% of the country's total energy consumption for that year. This is a significant decline from 2007, when coal consumption in the US peaked, and it has been falling most years since then. This decline is due to a combination of factors, including the increased availability of natural gas and renewable energy sources, decreased consumption, and stricter environmental regulations. Indeed, coal is the most carbon-intensive fossil fuel, and there have been various fossil fuel phase-out initiatives in the US.
Despite this downward trend, the US still has vast reserves of coal. The US Energy Information Administration (EIA) estimates that the US has around 250 billion short tons of recoverable coal reserves. This is based on various degrees of geologic certainty and the economic feasibility of mining the coal. Of these reserves, about 58% is underground mineable coal, while the remaining 42% is surface mineable. At the current rate of production, these recoverable reserves would last about 422 years.
However, it is challenging to estimate precisely how much coal exists in the US because it is buried underground. A comprehensive national assessment conducted by the US Geological Survey (USGS) in 1975 indicated that as of January 1, 1974, coal resources in the US totalled 4 trillion short tons. While the USGS has conducted more recent regional assessments, a new national-level assessment has not been undertaken since.
The US has been attempting to reduce its reliance on coal, with over 200 coal-powered units in operation across the country in 2024, down from 359 in 2017. Utilities purchase more than 90% of the coal consumed in the US, and coal plants have been closing due to the availability of cheaper and cleaner energy alternatives. While coal once played a dominant role in electricity generation in the US, it now accounts for a smaller share of the country's energy mix.
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Coal use in the US is declining due to cheaper, cleaner energy sources
The use of coal in the US has been declining since the 2000s due to a variety of factors, including the availability of cheaper and cleaner energy sources. The primary use of coal in the US is for electricity generation, and in 2022, coal accounted for about 9.8% of the country's total energy consumption, the lowest percentage since 1949. This is a significant drop from its peak in 2005 when coal consumption was at its highest based on energy content.
One of the main factors contributing to the decline of coal is the increased availability of natural gas, which is often cheaper and a more attractive alternative for power generation. The emergence of shale gas, in particular, has played a role in reducing coal consumption since 2009. Additionally, the expansion of renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power has also contributed to the decline of coal. Environmental regulations, such as the Clean Air Act of 1970 and the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule, have also placed restrictions on coal plants to address issues like mercury pollution, smog, and global warming.
The decline in coal usage is evident in the number of coal-fired power plants that have been retired or shut down. Between 2012 and 2016, 175 coal-fired power plants were expected to retire, resulting in a loss of 27 gigawatts of capacity. As of 2014, almost 20 gigawatts of coal-fired capacity had already been retired, and it was estimated that an additional 40 gigawatts would retire by 2020. The trend continues, with coal output expected to fall to 466 million tons in 2024, a 25% decline from 2023 levels.
The shift away from coal is also reflected in the number of states that have significantly reduced or eliminated coal power in their public power supply. As of 2018, 16 out of 50 Federal States had no coal power or less than 10% coal in their power production. The decline in coal usage is further influenced by the economics of selling coal-fired power, as utility coal generation has dropped significantly, impacting the profitability of coal as a fuel source.
Overall, the decline in coal usage in the US can be attributed to a combination of factors, including the availability of cheaper and cleaner energy sources, stricter environmental regulations, and a decrease in consumption. The shift towards renewable and natural gas energy sources is expected to continue, further reducing the reliance on coal as an energy source in the US.
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Frequently asked questions
The US consumed about 513 million short tons of coal in 2022.
The US consumed 731,071,000 tons of coal in 2016.
The US consumed 387.17 million short tons of coal in 2023.
The primary use of coal in the US is to generate electricity.
The US is the third-largest consumer of coal in the world, after China and India.
