Coal Facts
The Science of Coal
Coal was formed about 300 million years ago.
Coal takes a million years to create and therefore it belongs to non-renewable energy sources.
Coal is classified into four main types: lignite, subbituminous, bituminous, anthracite and the coal value is determined by the amount of the carbon it contains.
Coal Supplies
Coal could be the world’s most attractive fuel in years to come thanks to the methods of coal purification which are resulting in more cleaner coal, removing sulfur and other dangerous elements.
Coal deposits could be enough to satisfy current world energy needs for the next 300 years.
Coal total reserves are approximately about 1 × 1015 kg or 998 billion tons.
Coal is mined in 27 states and is used – to some extent – in every state in the union. The majority of coal in the U.S. – 9 out of every 10 tons – is used to produce over 50% of U.S. electricity. The remaining coal is used in steel making, for direct heating and as a feed source in the chemical industry and a variety of other sectors, including cement, paper and fertilizer.
Source: American Coal Council
The “Saudi Arabia of coal”
America is often referred to as the “Saudi Arabia of coal.” The United States has the largest supply of coal reserves in the world. According to the BP Statistical Review of World Energy, almost 29% of total world coal reserves exist in the U.S.
Source: American Coal Council
BP and Energy Information Administration (EIA) data indicate that the U.S. has over 263 billion short tons of recoverable reserves; approximately 230 years of reserves at current use. Over 120,000 people work to produce coal in 27 states, at almost 1,400 mines. Coal is used in almost every state to generate electricity, energy, or power industrial processes. Forecasts indicate that coal will continue to provide the majority of American electricity for the foreseeable future. In fact, EIA forecasts that, despite CO2 and climate concerns, coal will continue to provide up to 47% of electricity by 2030.
Source: BP, EIA, NMA — American Coal Council
Coal is the nation’s most abundant fossil fuel.
- Coal economically recoverable reserves:
- 263 billion short tons / 229 years
- (Demonstrated reserve base: 490 billion short tons)
- Oil Reserves:
- 29.4 billion barrels (3.6 billion tones) / 11.7 years
- Natural Gas Reserves:
- 211.1 trillion cubic feet (5.98 trillion m3) / 10.9 years
2007 data from BP Statistical Review of World Energy. BP & EIA data are not identical.
“Years” refers to years reserves will last at current production levels.
Source: BP, NMA, & EIA — American Coal Council
Electricity Generation: 2008 Net Generation by Source
Coal currently supplies 49% of all American electricity.
Other sources include:
- natural gas (21%),
- nuclear (20%),
- conventional hydroelectric (6%)
- other renewables (3%)
- petroleum coke (<1%)
- petroleum (1%)
- hydro pumped storage (<1%)
- other gasses (<1%)
- other (<1%)
Source: EIA — American Coal Council
Coal continues to be the fuel of choice for electricity generation because it is domestically abundant and affordable. Technology makes it possible to use coal to generate electricity and still meet today’s stringent environmental standards.