US coal production hits lowest level in 30 years

Coal production in the US has fallen to the lowest levels since 1986. That’s according to the Energy Information Administration (EIA) which believes production was around 900 million short tonnes (MMst) […]

Coal production in the US has fallen to the lowest levels since 1986.

That’s according to the Energy Information Administration (EIA) which believes production was around 900 million short tonnes (MMst) in 2015.

That’s 10% lower than in 2014, it added.

Low natural gas prices, reduced international coal demand and environmental regulations have contributed to this decline, stated the EIA.

Almost all coal in the US is used to generate electricity but recently coal’s share of electricity generation has fallen as its market share of natural gas and renewables increased, the report added.

Exports from the country also fell during the same period especially to Europe and China, the EIA stated.

It added: “Although 15.7 MMst of coal was exported to the UK and Italy in 2014, only about half that volume is expected in 2015 when complete data are available.”

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