Coal is an Abundant/Secure Energy Resource

America is often referred to
as the " Saudi Arabia
of coal." The United
States has the largest supply of coal
reserves in the world. According to the BP Statistical Review of World Energy, 29%
of total world coal reserves exist in the U.S. Energy Information
Administration (EIA) data indicates that the U.S. has over 264 billion short
tons of recoverable reserves; enough to last for over 234 years at current use
levels.  

Coal
is used in almost every state to generate 50 percent of our electricity
nationally. Both government and industry forecasts indicate that coal will
continue to provide the majority of American electricity for the foreseeable
future. In fact, EIA estimates expect that, by 2030, coal use will have grown
substantially and coal will provide 54 percent of our nation’s energy.

Coal
is our most abundant fossil fuel:

• Coal
  economically recoverable reserves: 264 billion short tons / 234 years
  (Demonstrated reserve base: 491 billion short tons)

• Oil
  Reserves: 29.4 million barrels / 11.1 years

• Natural
  Gas Reserves: 186.9 trillion cubic feet / 9.8 years