Coal has been used as an energy source for hundreds of years and was part of international trade in as long ago as the Roman Empire. 
Source: World Coal Institute

Coal provided the energy which fueled the Industrial Revolution of the 19th Century and also launched the electric era in the 20th Century.
Source: World Coal Institute

37% of the electricity generated worldwide is produced from coal.
Source: World Coal Institute

Coal is by far the cheapest source of power fuel per million Btu, averaging less than half the price of petroleum and natural gas.
Source: National Mining Association

The world's iron and steel industry depends on the use of coal.
Source: World Coal Institute

The value of coal produced in the United States each year is nearly $20 billion.
Source: EIA, Annual Energy Review 1999, T.7.8, and T.7.2

Coal is directly responsible for the existence of more than 90,000 U.S. jobs and nearly one million jobs directly and indirectly.
Source: EIA, Western Economic Analysis Center (WEAC), 1998, p. 17

Coal mining has a combined direct and indirect impact of $161 billion annually on the U.S. economy. This is $596 for every U.S. citizen.
Source: WEAC 1998, p. 17; EIA Annual Energy Review 1998, T.E1

The federal government receives more than $11 billion annually in taxes and fees from the coal industry.
Source: WEAC 1998, p. 1

State and local governments receive nearly $9 billion each year in revenues.
Source: WEAC 1998, p. 1

Developing countries' demand for coal will double through 2020, according to the Energy Information Administration (EIA).
Source: EIA, International Energy Outlook 2000, p.171

Coal reserves are spread over almost 100 countries. Proven coal reserves are estimated to last over 200 years with current production rates. In contrast, proven oil and gas reserves are equivalent to around 40 and 60 years.

Total World Electricity Generation
(% by fuel)

Coal	38.1%
Gas	17.1%
Oil	8.5%
Nuclear	17.2%
Hydro	17.5%
Other*	1.6%

*Other includes solar, wind combustible renewables, geothermal & waste
Source: IEA Key World Energy Statistics 2001 Edition

Total US Electricity Generation
(% by fuel)

Source: Energy Information Administration

Electricity consumption in the United States is projected to grow 44 percent by 2020. Coal has enabled America's electric utilities to keep up with this increasing demand. The use of coal for generating electricity has nearly tripled in the last 30 years.
Source: Center for Energy and Economic Development

Coal makes up approximately 95% of fossil fuel reserves in the United States, with an estimated 250-year supply of coal based on current usage rates.
Source: American Coal Foundation