Coal, our most important domestic fuel resource, accounts for nearly 25% of our country’s total primary energy production and produces half of our electric power. Current annual U.S. coal production is 1.1 billion short tons, which equates to 20 pounds of coal per person, per day.

On average you will use 3 to 4 tons of coal this year, probably without even knowing it. The U.S. Department of Energy indicates that because of the shear volume of energy our country needs to sustain economic growth and our standard of living, the use of coal as a fuel will likely increase in the future.

It is imperative that society develop the appropriate balance of policies for maximizing our country’s resources, meeting energy needs, and providing a healthy environment. Coal and the Environment, the 10th publication in this series, provides an introduction to the major environmental concerns associated with coal mining and combustion, production, transportation, and use.

Produced by the American Geological Institute in cooperation with Illinois Basin Consortium, U.S. DOE, Office of Fossil Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory and Office of Surface Mining.

"Because coal’s use as a fuel will likely continue and even grow, it is imperative that society develop the appropriate balance of policies for maximizing our country's resources, meeting energy needs, and providing a healthy environment

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Stephen F. Greb, Cortland F. Eble, Douglas C. Peters and Alexander R. Papp
American Geological Institute
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PREFACE
Coal, our most important domestic fuel resource, accounts for nearly 25% of our country’s total primary energy production and produces half of our electric power. Annual U.S. coal production is 1.1 billion short tons, which equates to 20 pounds of coal per person, per day.

On average you will use 3 to 4 tons of coal this year, probably without even knowing it. That said, the U.S. Department of Energy indicates that because of the shear volume of energy our country needs to sustain economic growth and our standard of living, the use of coal as a fuel will likely increase in the future — even if the percentage of coal as a whole in the energy mix decreases.

Increasing coal use is also expected in world markets as both China and India have large populations, rapidly expanding industrial economies and energy needs, and large coal resources of their own. The use of coal, like nearly all human activities, has environmental impacts. Recognizing these impacts has led to greater scrutiny in the way coal is mined, processed, and used.

Our objective in writing about coal is to relate the mining and use of this vital energy resource to the environmental concerns that affect our society. Coal and the Environment covers issues related to coal mining and combustion, as well as the methods, technology, and regulation currently in use, or planned for the future, to meet our nation’s energy needs, while caring for the environment around us.

The authors gratefully acknowledge the many individuals who helped in putting this publication together. Special thanks to Travis Hudson and Julie Jackson for coordination and editing, and to Julie DeAtley for her phenomenal layout and design. Joe Galetovic, Office of Surface Mining, provided information and sources of images; Mark Carew and Ben Enzweiler, Kentucky Division of Abandoned Mine Lands, were also a great help in providing images. Thanks to all of the colleagues who provided technical expertise and images for use in the manuscript.

We especially thank the principal reviewers for their time and efforts including James C. Cobb, Kentucky Geological Survey; Bob Finkelman, U.S. Geological Survey; Travis Hudson, American Geological Institute; Bob Kane, U.S. Department of Energy; Philip LaMoreaux, P.E. LaMoreaux & Associates; David Morse, Illinois State Geological Survey; Alma Paty, American Coal Foundation; John Rupp and Nelson Shaffer, Indiana Geological Survey; Gary Stiegel, U.S. Department of Energy; Steve Trammel, Kennecott Energy; and Dave Wunsch, New Hampshire Geological Survey.