Fifteen U.S. States Used Coal as Largest Source for Electricity Generation During 2021: EIA

Coal accounted for the largest share of electricity generation in 15 U.S. states during 2021, according to a report published on Dec. 7 by the U.S. Energy Information Administration. The number of states using coal as compared to other energy sources has declined from 32 in 2001, with the U.S. shifting away from coal generation towards natural gas and renewables, such as solar and wind.

Natural gas was the largest source of electricity generation in seven states in 2001. The number of states where gas accounts for the largest share of fuel for power production has increased to 23 states in 2021, due to the extensive phasing out of coal fired power facilities and the construction of new natural gas fired power facilities. This trend has further been driven by the profitability of lower cost of gas compared to coal fired plants.

Coal plants have been extensively retired across the U.S., in line with price pressure from gas and renewables and due to emissions regulations. Ohio and Pennsylvania witnessed the biggest reductions in coal fired capacity over the last 20 years, with both states switching from coal to gas over that period.

Technological development has been critical to the rise in U.S. gas production. Technologies such as horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing have enabled the U.S. to produce a significantly higher volume of gas. Consequently, higher production has led to lower gas prices which have incentivised gas fired power facilities, at the expense of coal. Five states – Florida, California, Texas, Ohio and Pennsylvania – added the most capability between 2001 and 2021. Moreover, gas now accounts for the largest source of electricity generation in all five states.

Three states – South Dakota, Iowa and Kansas –have shifted away from coal fired power stations towards wind turbines. In 2001 coal was the most utilized fuel for electricity generation, but as of 2021 wind generation accounts for the largest share due to the states being located in the Great Plains, which favour onshore wind resources.

A large number of states have moved away from coal as the largest supply of electricity over the past 20 years. However, as of 2021, coal still makes up for more than 70 percent of power generation in four states: West Virginia, Missouri, Wyoming, and Kentucky.