Coal Facts

The Kentucky Coal Facts 2005-2006 Guide (PDF - 1MB) provides information about Kentucky coal production, employment, economics, markets, environment, resources and electricity in a 37 page booklet. The booklet can be viewed in electronic format by clicking on the link above or on the image. A paper copy can also be obtained by contacting the Division of Fossil Fuels & Utility Services. The booklet is published by the Kentucky Office of Energy Policy Division of Fossil Fuels and the Kentucky Coal Association.

Note: This document is in Adobe Acrobat (.PDF) format.  Please click on the following link to download a free copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Coal is a combustible mineral formed from the remains of trees, ferns, and other plants that existed and died during the time of the dinosaurs. 

Coal generates more than half the electricity used in the United States.  According to the Energy Information Administration (EIA), in 2005 there were approximately 600 power plants (1,600 plant units) and 1,100 manufacturing facilities using coal.

Coal is far more plentiful than domestic oil or natural gas, accounting for approximately 95% of the nation's fossil energy reserves.  The United States has nearly 270 billion tons of recoverable coal--that's about a 250-year supply at today's usage rates. 

• coal is the largest freight commodity moved by barges on the nation's inland waterways.
• railroads account for two-thirds of total U. S. coal shipments.
• 9 out of every 10 tons of coal used in the United States are for electricity generation.
• of all fuel and non-fuel commodities mined, the quantity of coal currently produced ranks third behind stone, sand, and gravel.
• the largest coal producing state is Wyoming, with 396 million tons of production in 2004.  In the past 11 years, the U. S. has produced more than 1 billion tons of coal each year.