Coal remains a significant energy source in the United States. In 2022, the nation produced approximately 594 million short tons of coal across 21 states. Surface mining accounted for the majority, yielding 63% of the total output. But Where Is Coal Found within the U.S. that makes such production possible? The answer lies in understanding the key coal-producing regions and states.
Five states stand out as the powerhouses of U.S. coal production, contributing to nearly three-quarters of the nation’s total in 2022:
- Wyoming (41%)
- West Virginia (14%)
- Pennsylvania (7%)
- Illinois (6%)
- Kentucky (5%)
However, to truly understand where coal is found, we need to look at the broader geographical regions where these states, and others, are located. Coal deposits in the U.S. are primarily concentrated in three major regions: the Appalachian Coal Region, the Interior Coal Region, and the Western Coal Region, which includes the prolific Powder River Basin.
Key Coal-Producing Regions in Detail
Appalachian Coal Region:
Spanning across states like Alabama, Eastern Kentucky, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, the Appalachian region is a historical heartland of U.S. coal mining. In 2022, it contributed around 27% of the total U.S. coal production. West Virginia leads production in this region and is the second-largest coal-producing state nationwide. Notably, underground mines are dominant here, providing 80% of the region’s coal and 58% of all underground coal production in the U.S.
Interior Coal Region:
This region encompasses a broad area including Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, and Western Kentucky. The Interior Region accounted for approximately 17% of the total U.S. coal production in 2022. Illinois is the top producer within this region, responsible for 38% of the Interior region’s output and about 6% of the total U.S. production. In contrast to the Appalachian region, the Interior region sees a mix of mining types, with underground mines supplying 68% and surface mines 32% of its coal.
Western Coal Region:
The Western Coal Region is geographically the largest and the top coal-producing region, including states such as Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. In 2022, it produced about 56% of all U.S. coal. Wyoming, the nation’s leading coal producer, is the dominant force in this region, contributing 73% of the Western region’s coal and 41% of the entire U.S. output. The Powder River Basin, located within Wyoming and Montana, is a major sub-basin within this region known for its vast coal reserves. Surface mining is particularly prevalent in the Western region, accounting for 92% of its coal production. In fact, seven of the top ten largest coal mines in the U.S. are located in Wyoming, all of which are surface mines.
Key Coal Mines: Giants of Production
To further illustrate where coal is found and mined at a massive scale, consider the two largest coal mines in the United States: Black Thunder and North Antelope Rochelle, both situated in Wyoming. These two mines alone accounted for an astounding 21% of the total U.S. coal production in 2022. Remarkably, Black Thunder, the largest producing mine, yielded nearly as much coal in 2022 as the entire states of Illinois and Kentucky combined, which are the fourth and fifth largest coal-producing states respectively.
In conclusion, where coal is found in the U.S. is largely concentrated in three significant regions: Appalachian, Interior, and Western. While the Appalachian and Interior regions have a long history of coal production, the Western region, particularly Wyoming and the Powder River Basin, currently dominates U.S. coal output thanks to its vast reserves and large-scale surface mining operations. Understanding these geographical concentrations provides crucial context to the U.S. energy landscape and the ongoing role of coal.
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Annual Coal Report, October 2023.
Last updated: December 22, 2023.
