According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), coal production in the United States declined by more than 10% in 2015, reaching 897 MMst (814 Mt) during the year and a record low level since 1986. The fall in coal production was significant in all three major coal-producing regions, namely the Appalachian, the Interior, and the Western, and was related to a 13% decrease in coal consumption from the power sector, industry (-9%) and other consumers. Coal consumption contracted to 798 MMst (724 Mt), its lowest level since 1986. In the power sector, the increased competition from gas-fired and renewable electricity generation contributed to the fall.
The declining trend has continued into 2016: coal production between January and late October 2016 amounted to 607 Mt (20% less than over the same period of 2015), while coal consumption in the first seven months of 2016 was 23% lower than over the same period of 2015.