- Coal is the source of half the electricity in the United States.
- In 2006, a record 1.2 billion tons of coal were extracted in the United States, 69% from surface mining.
- 47 states are home to approximately 501 coal-burning power plants that provide electricity for their utility customers.
Coal has been one of the most beneficial resources for mankind. It fuelled the industrial revolution, and it still generates half of the electricity in the U.S. Recent increases in electricity demand have led utilities across the nation to propose 150 new coal plants, which would commit the U.S. to coal generation as its dominant source of electricity for the next half century. Coal and utility corporations are among the largest and most politically influential in the U.S. Their obligations to shareholders lead them to deploy a massive network of public and political influence in support of policy decisions that support shareholder value, enhance profits and preserve their dominance in the electricity generation sector. These policies are not necessarily the best choices in terms of public health, environmental protection, Global Warming mitigation, or delivering the most affordable electricity over the long run.