Coal is a combustible black sedimentary rock composed mostly of carbon and hydrocarbons. Its the most abundant fossil fuel produced in the United States. The carbon is compressed over millions and billions of years in the Earths soil.

Coal is a non-renewable energy source because it takes millions of years to create and we’re consuming more every year than whats being produced. The energy in coal comes from the energy stored by the plants and animals that lived millions and billions of years ago. Think back to some of the first life forms that were on the planet.

Roughly 93% of the coal used in the United States is for generating electricity. Except for a small amount of net exports, the rest of the coal is used, as a basic energy source in many industries, including steel, cement and paper industries. The four major uses of coal are:

• For electric power
• For industry
• For making steel
• For export

Coal makes up roughly 50% of the electricity that is produced in the United States. Besides electric utility companies, industries and businesses with their own power plants use caol to generate electricity. Power plants burn the coal ot make steam, the steam in return turns turbines, which generate the electricty for consumers.

When coal is burned it gives off carbon dioxide, the main greenhouse gas that is linked with global warming and many respiatory and health related issues. During the coal burning another gas hat given off is nitrogen oxidie and mercury. Combining the two in the atmosphere produces acid rain, and smog.

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