Coal Energy Articles

The next energy battle.

Coal energy articles. Consumed more renewable energy than coal last year something that hasn t happened since 1885 according to the energy information administration. However future coal will look different than older coal because it will have to be more sustainable and also cost effective. In 2018 murray energy produced 46 4 million tons and was the country s fourth largest coal producer accounting for 6 of total production according to the energy information administration. On an energy content basis this amount was equal to about 11 3 quadrillion british thermal units btu and to about 11 of total u s.

The last time the united states consumed more renewable energy than coal was in the 19th century when hydropower was just getting started and wood burning was a major fuel source. Coal is the dominant source of energy in india because it s locally available and has historically been quite cheap more so because there hasn t been aggressive regulation or taxation upon its externalities yet. The national plan is to reduce china s reliance on coal to cut pollution and mitigate global heating but. Although coal use was once common in the industrial transportation residential and commercial sectors today the main use of coal in the united states is to generate electricity.

Energy mix reflects growing use of natural gas petroleum and renewables. Coal is an abundant natural resource that can be used as a source of energy as a chemical source from which numerous synthetic compounds e g dyes oils waxes pharmaceuticals and pesticides can be derived and in the production of coke for metallurgical processes. Energy related co2 emissions from natural gas surpass coal as fuel use patterns change july 21 2016 changing u s.