from http://www.eia.doe.gov/kids/energyexplained/sources/non-renewable/coal.html
Grade: A. Ready

Where We Get Coal

Coal production is the amount of coal that is mined and sent to market. In 2008, the amount of coal produced at U.S. coal mines was 1,171.8 million short tons. Coal is mined in 26 States. Wyoming mines the most coal, followed by West Virginia, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and Texas.

Coal is mainly found in three large regions, the Appalachian Coal Region, the Interior Coal Region, and Western Coal Region (includes the Powder River Basin).

Map of the three coal producing regions: Appalachian with 390.2 million short tons, Interior with 146.6 million short tons, and Western with 633.6 million short tons, Total 1171.8 million short tons.
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Appalachian Coal Region:

  • More than one-third of the coal produced in the United States comes from the Appalachian Coal Region.
  • West Virginia is the largest coal-producing State in the region, and the second largest coal-producing State in the United States.
  • This region has large underground mines and small surface mines.
  • Coal mined in the Appalachian coal region is primarily used for steam generation for electricity, metal production, and for export.

Interior Coal Region: 

  • Texas is the largest coal producer in the Interior Coal Region, accounting for almost one-third of the region's coal production.
  • This region has mid-sized surface mines.

Western Coal Region: 

  • Over half of the coal produced in the United States is produced in the Western Coal Region.
  • Wyoming is the largest regional coal producer, as well as the largest coal-producing State in the Nation.
  • This region has many large surface mines.
  • Some of the largest coal mines in the world are in the Western Coal Region.