Kentucky coal production slipped in the three months ending Sept. 30 to a low not seen since the COVID lockdowns of 2020.
Kentucky produced less than 5.5 million tons of coal from June to September, according to the Energy and Environment Cabinet’s coal dashboard.
During the second quarter of 2020, Kentucky coal production bottomed out at 4.4 million tons.
After pandemic restrictions eased and demand for electricity increased, coal production recovered to 6 or 7 million tons every three months through 2024.
Since the beginning of last year, four quarters saw production fall below 6 million tons.
As recently as 2013, Kentucky produced 20 million tons or more every three months.
Coal employment in the third quarter remained below 4,000, falling 15% from a year ago.
Natural gas has largely displaced coal as the nation’s primary fuel to generate electricity. In recent years, renewables have caught up. Wind and solar now produce more power than coal.
The Trump administration has taken steps to revive coal generation, including delays to power plant closures and federal funds to upgrade coal facilities.
East Kentucky Power Cooperative has applied for a $90 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to extend the life of its coal generation assets.
Though coal still produces most of Kentucky’s electricity, nationwide, its share of electricity generation fell to 15% last year.
From 1971 to 1988, Kentucky ranked first in the nation in coal production. Now it ranks seventh, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Production peaked in Kentucky in 1990.
Kentucky generates 67% of its electricity from coal. Only West Virginia relies more on coal, at 86%.
Wyoming is the nation’s No. 1 coal producer, followed by West Virginia.
