ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the use of coal as an input in electricity generation in the United States. Electric utilities have been shutting down a large number of coal plants before their planned retirement or converting them to natural gas, with lower carbon emissions per unit of electricity generated. While coal is a finite resource, the EIA estimates that at current rates of usage, the United States has enough coal to last approximately 250 years. Surface mining calls for removal of layers of soil rock to expose the coal, in contrast to underground mining, where the rock remains in place during the extraction process. The large number of trains results in emissions from locomotives burning fuel, primarily diesel. In addition, there are coal dust emissions during transport. Developed countries with large reserves will seek to export coal when they cannot sell it in their domestic market, although doing so will make it more difficult to fight climate change.
