The United States’ electric power sector consumed less coal in the first half of 2020 than it did during the same period in 2019, according to the Energy Information Administration.
From January to July, 184.8 million short tons of coal were used, which is 30% less than was used the year before. This drop was brought about by a drop in usage because of pandemic lockdowns and business closures, as well as changes in the electric industry.
After an annual record of 1,045 million short tons of coal being consumed in 2007, usage has declined. Most of this is due to coal plant retirements, such as Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association’s closure of the Nucla power plant this year, as well as air standards, price drops and power plant conversions to natural gas. Usage is expected to show a slight rebound during the last six months of 2020 as some pandemic restrictions were loosened and some businesses were able to reopen.