Coal-Killing Sodium-Ion Energy Storage Is Coming To Kill Your Coal Power Plants
The promise of a coal power revival is already being undermined by new energy storage technologies for wind and solar, including sodium-ion batteries.
us coal
US Coal Exports Drop 11% — Tariffs & Lower Demand Top Reasons
Many people concerned about the climate crisis and pollution will be happy to hear that US coal exports dropped 11% in the first half of 2025. Proponents of sticking with fossil fuels despite the climate and pollution problems may be surprised to find out that much of the reason for … [continued]
More Than 50% of New U.S. Electric Generating Capacity Will Come from Solar in 2025
Developers added 12 gigawatts (GW) of new utility-scale solar electric generating capacity in the United States during the first half of 2025, and they plan to add another 21 GW in the second half of the year, according to our latest survey of electric generating capacity changes. If those plans are … [continued]
Most of the Planned Coal Capacity Retirements Are in the Midwest or Mid-Atlantic Regions
Based on what power plant owners and operators have reported to EIA, the total operating capacity of U.S. coal-fired power plants is scheduled to fall from 172 gigawatts (GW) in May 2025 to 145 GW by the end of 2028, according to our Preliminary Monthly Electric Generator Inventory. On a … [continued]
How Has U.S. Energy Use Changed Since 1776?
In 2024, the United States consumed about 94 quadrillion British thermal units (quads) of energy, a 1% increase from 2023, according to our Monthly Energy Review. Fossil fuels—petroleum, natural gas, and coal—accounted for 82% of total U.S. energy consumption in 2024. Nonfossil fuel energy—from renewables and nuclear energy—accounted for the other … [continued]
U.S. Primary Energy Production, Consumption, and Exports Increased in 2024
The United States continued to produce more energy than it consumed in 2024. This surplus energy production helped energy exports grow to a record high 30.9 quadrillion British thermal units (quads) in 2024, up 4% from 2023. Energy imports stayed flat at 21.7 quads in 2024, meaning the United States exported 9.3 quads more … [continued]
U.S. Production of All Types of Coal Has Declined over the Past Two Decades
In 2023, the United States produced 578 million short tons (MMst) of coal, or less than half of the amount produced in 2008 when U.S. coal production peaked, according to our most recent Annual Coal Report. The production decline is spread almost evenly across each type of coal and continued in 2024. … [continued]
Planned Retirements of U.S. Coal-Fired Electric-Generating Capacity to Increase in 2025
Electricity generators plan to retire 12.3 gigawatts (GW) of capacity in 2025, a 65% increase in retirements compared with 2024. Last year, 7.5 GW was retired from the U.S. power grid, the least generation retired since 2011, according to data reported to us in our latest inventory of electric generators. Coal … [continued]
U.S. Coal Exports Reached 6-Year Record in June 2024
Gross U.S. coal exports in June 2024 totaled 10 million short tons, the most in a month since October 2018, data from our Short-Term Energy Outlook data browser show. Annual average U.S. coal exports were 9.0 million short tons in 2024. U.S. coal exports have increased each year since 2020, when they averaged … [continued]
New Solar Plants Expected to Support Most U.S. Electric Generation Growth
In our latest Short-Term Energy Outlook (STEO), we expect that U.S. renewable capacity additions—especially solar—will continue to drive the growth of U.S. power generation over the next two years. We expect U.S. utilities and independent power producers will add 26 gigawatts (GW) of solar capacity to the U.S. electric power sector in … [continued]
