Coal is a key component of the U.S. energy mix, providing 16 percent of U.S. electricity. In 2023, the U.S. mined 577,954 thousand short tons of coal, with thermal coal going to power plants that keep the lights on and homes warm in the winter and cool in the summer. As a source of reliable energy, coal is the fuel we can rely on.
With a coal mine and state-of-the-art power plant all in one footprint, the Prairie State Energy Campus is uniquely positioned to provide reliable and resilient baseload power. Prairie State provides electricity to 180 communities across the Midwest and Mid Atlantic—proudly serving more than 2.5 million people.
Coal is the backbone of communities across the U.S., providing the electricity needed to power our modern lives.