by Ann Withanee — May 2, 2011—Coal is likely to remain the dominant source of American electricity for decades to come, according to a new report from the U.S. Energy Department’s Energy Information Administration. EIA’s American Energy Outlook 2011 predicts that, absent overly stringent new federal regulations, electricity generation from coal will increase by 25 percent from 2009 to 2035 and that coal will generate 43 percent of America’s electricity in 2035.
“This report underscores the important role that coal will play long into the future,” said Steve Miller, president and CEO of the American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity (ACCCE). “Coal will continue to be America’s fuel for decades to come because it will remain affordable, reliable and will be used in an increasingly clean manner.”
Earlier this year, ACCCE released a report showing that among energy used by American households, electricity has experienced relatively low price increases since 2001. Coal currently provides nearly one-half of America’s electricity supply, and it has contributed to the relative stability of consumer electricity prices.
The American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity (ACCCE) is a non-profit, non-partisan partnership of companies involved in producing electricity from coal.
An executive summary of the EIA report can be found on the Web site. More information is also available at Clean Coal USA or Americas Power.
