The amount of coal used to make electricity in U.S. hits 33-year low

[kentuck]

http://www.kentucky.com/news/state/article154060059.html#storylink=hpdigest

<snip>
The amount of coal that utilities used to generate electricity last year was the lowest in more than 30 years, according to a federal report released Friday.

The report was about the methods used to transport coal, but the information on how much coal utilities burned underscored the challenges facing the industry in Kentucky — where jobs and production have plummeted — and elsewhere.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration reported that the nation’s power sector consumed 677 million short tons of coal in 2016. That was the lowest amount since 1984.

Most of the coal mined in Kentucky goes to produce electricity.

Cheap, abundant natural gas and, to a lesser extent, renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power have eaten into coal’s share of power generation.

....more

[Turbineguy]

1. But what about king donald's mines?

Those beautiful coal mines. They're opening everywhere!

[underpants]

2. Well, they all work at Arby's now

From the numbers we know.

[physioex]

3. Coal miners deserve no sympathy.....

They are clinging to a way of life that will not be there in a decade and refuse to demand their elected officials provide alternatives....

[Adrahil]

5. They are people in the 1920's demanding we make more horseshoes. NT

[n2doc]

7. Whalers are demanding that we bring back the whale oil industry!

Or maybe not. They found other jobs a long time ago.

[roamer65]

4. But, but....Dump digs coal!

Suckers.

[n2doc]

6. Good. Coal needs to die. Like gas lamps and whale oil.

It is an abomination to the environment.

[former9thward]

8. Coal is being replaced by natural gas not renewables.

Natural gas plants throw out the same CO2 as coal plants but in somewhat lesser amounts. Natural gas is cheaper than the renewables so it acts to prevent their development just as it hurts coal. Natural gas is also replacing nuclear which has minor CO2 emissions so it is adding to the greenhouse gases. So people can celebrate the end of coal but they are willfully ignoring its replacement.

[Historic NY]

9. They rejected the Democratic candidates plan for good paying tech jobs....

and retraining. They went with the snake oil salesman.

[Thrill]

10. Just keep waiting on those brand new coal jobs