Coal consumption within the electric power sector in the United States fell to 373.8 million short tons in 2024. In the past decade, there has been a marked decline in the use of coal for electricity generation. Coal consumption peaked between 2005 and 2008, when over one billion short tons were used every year. However, with the promotion of natural gas as a bridge-fuel toward a greener power sector, coal as the dirtiest of fossil fuels has fallen out of favor and natural gas has succeeded coal in becoming the main fuel type used for electricity generation in the U.S. Coal use by sector Coal is used primarily by the power sector. An Edison plant built for New York City in 1882 was the first coal-fired electricity plant in the U.S. By the 1950s, coal was considered the leading source of fuel for electricity generation. Declines in coal usage occurred around 2007, amidst the increased availability of renewables and natural gas. Apart from the use of thermal coal for power production, coking coal is an important raw material used for steelmaking, and the industrial sector still consumes around one quadrillion British thermal unit every year. Coal power use around the world The U.S.is the third largest consumer of coal in the world, following China and India. China’s consumption exceeds the total of many other countries combined, reaching 91.94 exajoules to U.S.' 8.2 exajoules. Fossil fuels are still a primary source of fuel around the world. U.S. fossil fuel consumption reached some 77.18 quadrillion British thermal units in 2023.

In 2024, coal consumption in the United States reached 411.4 million short tons, a decrease when compared to the previous year. The U.S. has been steadily reducing its reliance on coal for electricity generation, with natural gas having surpassed coal as the largest source for power production in the country.

Key information about United States Coal Consumption

• United States Coal Consumption was reported at 317.010 TOE mn in Dec 2018
• This records a decrease from the previous number of 331.263 TOE mn for Dec 2017
• US Coal Consumption data is updated yearly, averaging 424.641 TOE mn from Dec 1965 to Dec 2018, with 54 observations
• The data reached an all-time high of 545.740 TOE mn in 2005 and a record low of 277.235 TOE mn in 1965
• US Coal Consumption data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by BP PLC
• The data is categorized under World Trend Plus’s Association: Metal and Mining Sector – Table WB.BP.CONS: Coal Consumption (Discontinued)

Historical chart and dataset showing U.S. coal usage/consumption by year from 1960 to 2023.

The electric power sector is the main coal consuming sector in the United States. In 2024, this sector's coal consumption amounted to seven quadrillion British thermal units. By comparison, the commercial sector consumed 10 trillion British thermal units of coal that year.

United States Coal Consumption: Residential data was reported at 0.000 Short Ton th in Jul 2011. This stayed constant from the previous number of 0.000 Short Ton th for Jun 2011. United States Coal Consumption: Residential data is updated monthly, averaging 79.390 Short Ton th from Jan 1973 (Median) to Jul 2011, with 463 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 520.960 Short Ton th in Jan 1973 and a record low of 0.000 Short Ton th in Jul 2011. United States Coal Consumption: Residential data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Energy Information Administration. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.RB005: Coal Consumption.

United States Coal Consumption: Transportation data was reported at 0.000 Short Ton th in Jul 2018. This stayed constant from the previous number of 0.000 Short Ton th for Jun 2018. United States Coal Consumption: Transportation data is updated monthly, averaging 0.000 Short Ton th from Jan 1973 (Median) to Jul 2018, with 547 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 17.000 Short Ton th in May 1973 and a record low of 0.000 Short Ton th in Jul 2018. United States Coal Consumption: Transportation data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Energy Information Administration. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.RB005: Coal Consumption.

Forecast: Coal Consumption in the US 2024 - 2028 Discover more data with ReportLinker!

Texas is the largest coal energy consuming state in the U.S., using some 926 trillion British thermal units worth in 2022 in the electric power sector. Ranking second, Indiana consumed roughly 580 trillion British thermal units that same year. Most of the states listed are also heavy coal-producing states.

The USA: Coal consumption, thousand short tons: The latest value from 2023 is 535735.88 thousand short tons, an increase from 515554.78 thousand short tons in 2022. In comparison, the world average is 50012.11 thousand short tons, based on data from 190 countries. Historically, the average for the USA from 1980 to 2023 is 883316.04 thousand short tons. The minimum value, 476693 thousand short tons, was reached in 2020 while the maximum of 1127998.13 thousand short tons was recorded in 2007.

United States Coal Consumption: Commercial: Other data was reported at 5.714 Short Ton th in Aug 2018. This records a decrease from the previous number of 7.554 Short Ton th for Jul 2018. United States Coal Consumption: Commercial: Other data is updated monthly, averaging 256.351 Short Ton th from Jan 1973 (Median) to Aug 2018, with 548 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1,043.120 Short Ton th in Jan 1974 and a record low of 5.714 Short Ton th in Aug 2018. United States Coal Consumption: Commercial: Other data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Energy Information Administration. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.RB005: Coal Consumption.

Historical chart and dataset showing Virgin Islands (U.S.) coal usage/consumption by year from 2000 to 2021.

The average for 2022 based on 24 countries was 23184.73 thousand short tons. The highest value was in the USA: 515554.78 thousand short tons and the lowest value was in Antigua and Barbuda: 0 thousand short tons. The indicator is available from 1980 to 2023. Below is a chart for all countries where data are available.

Forecast: Coal Consumption in the US 2022 - 2026 Discover more data with ReportLinker!

Coal Consumption: Industrial: Other: Combined Heat & Power data was reported at 942.643 Short Ton th in Aug 2018. This records a decrease from the previous number of 974.693 Short Ton th for Jul 2018. Coal Consumption: Industrial: Other: Combined Heat & Power data is updated monthly, averaging 2,119.901 Short Ton th from Jan 1989 (Median) to Aug 2018, with 356 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 2,630.438 Short Ton th in Aug 1994 and a record low of 942.643 Short Ton th in Aug 2018. Coal Consumption: Industrial: Other: Combined Heat & Power data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Energy Information Administration. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.RB005: Coal Consumption.

United States Coal Consumption: Industrial: Coke Plants data was reported at 1,859.786 Short Ton th in Aug 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 1,504.418 Short Ton th for Jul 2018. United States Coal Consumption: Industrial: Coke Plants data is updated monthly, averaging 2,579.726 Short Ton th from Jan 1973 (Median) to Aug 2018, with 548 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 8,089.000 Short Ton th in Dec 1973 and a record low of 1,031.800 Short Ton th in Jul 2009. United States Coal Consumption: Industrial: Coke Plants data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Energy Information Administration. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.RB005: Coal Consumption.

The United States coal market, while facing significant headwinds, demonstrates resilience and presents opportunities for strategic players. The market, valued at approximately $20 billion in 2025 (an estimated figure based on provided CAGR and market size data), is projected to experience a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) exceeding 3% from 2025 to 2033. This growth is primarily driven by the persistent demand from the power generation sector, particularly in regions with limited access to renewable energy sources and existing coal-fired power plants that are still operating. Metallurgy remains a significant application segment, contributing to the overall market stability. However, the transition towards cleaner energy sources, including renewables and natural gas, poses a significant restraint. Increasing environmental regulations aimed at reducing carbon emissions are also impacting the market, leading to stricter operational standards and potentially higher costs for coal producers. Companies like Peabody Energy Corp, Arch Coal Inc, and Alliance Resource Partners L.P. are key players navigating this evolving landscape, focusing on operational efficiencies and exploring diversification strategies to mitigate risks. Despite the challenges, certain trends are shaping the future of the US coal market. These include technological advancements in coal mining and processing, leading to improved efficiency and reduced environmental impact. Furthermore, the focus on carbon capture and storage technologies may provide a pathway for continued coal utilization while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The geographic distribution of coal production and consumption within the United States will also be a key factor determining regional market performance. The market’s future growth will depend on a complex interplay of energy policies, technological innovations, and global economic conditions. The continued reliance on coal for power generation in certain regions, coupled with adaptation to evolving environmental regulations, will be crucial to the market's long-term trajectory. Notable trends are: Metallurgy Sector to Witness Significant Growth.

Find out how the demand for coal in the United States is driving market growth, with forecasts indicating an upward consumption trend over the next decade. By 2035, the market volume is projected to reach 538 million tons, with a value of $76.4 billion.

United States Coal Consumption: Electric Power data was reported at 63,749.872 Short Ton th in Aug 2018. This records a decrease from the previous number of 63,850.907 Short Ton th for Jul 2018. United States Coal Consumption: Electric Power data is updated monthly, averaging 66,226.332 Short Ton th from Jan 1973 (Median) to Aug 2018, with 548 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 99,085.845 Short Ton th in Aug 2007 and a record low of 29,170.498 Short Ton th in Apr 1973. United States Coal Consumption: Electric Power data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Energy Information Administration. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.RB005: Coal Consumption.