US Coal Consumption: 672 Million Short Tons in 2020 (Second Highest Globally)

The United States consumed 672 million short tons (610 million metric tons) of coal in 2020, making it the world's second-largest coal consumer after China (~4.5 billion tons).

Trend Context

• Peak: 1,128M short tons (2007)
• 2020 drop: 18% below 2019 (COVID + gas/renewables displacement)
• 2023 preliminary: ~425M short tons (continued decline)

Sector Breakdown (2020)

• Electric Power: 91.5% (615M tons)—coal's last major stronghold
• Industrial: 7.5% (cement, steel, chemicals)
• Commercial/Residential: <1%
• Coke Plants: ~1% (metallurgical coal for steel)

Geographic Concentration

Top producing states (2020): Wyoming (41%), West Virginia (13%), Pennsylvania (7%), Illinois (6%), Montana (5%). Powder River Basin (WY/MT) = 43% of US output.

Policy Drivers

• Cheap natural gas (fracking)
• Wind/solar cost collapse
• EPA regulations (MATS, CPP/ACE, effluent guidelines)
• Corporate ESG, investor pressure
• State RPS/CES targets

Global Contrast

China: 54% of world consumption. India: 12%. US: 6%. OECD coal use declining; non-OECD rising. US exports ~85M tons (2023)—mainly metallurgical to Europe/Asia.