From,
Energy Information Administration"
The electric power sector is the largest consumer of coal in the U.S. During 2007, the United States consumed 1,129.3 million short tons of coal, almost all of which was produced domestically.
The greatest demand for coal was by power plants that burn coal to generate electricity. Some 1,046.4 million short tons, 93 percent of the total, were used by the electric power sector to produce approximately half of all electricity generated. Each ton of coal consumed at an electric power plant produces about 2,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity so a pound of coal can supply enough electricity to light ten 100-watt bulbs for about an hour.
Largest State consumers of coal.
In 2007, Texas consumed 104.8 million short tons of coal, more than any other state in the U.S. Of that total, more than 98 percent was for electricity generation. Other major consumers of coal were, Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, and Pennsylvania. Including Texas, these five states consumed approximately one third of all coal used to generate electricity in the country.
Top Ten Consuming States of Coal For Electric Power Generation in 2007 (million short tons) Preliminary data
Texas 102.9
Indiana 60.7
Ohio 59.5
Illinois 56.6
Pennsylvania 55.9
Kentucky 41.2
Georgia 40.8 <
West Virginia 38.0
Alabama 37.2
So you'ld better add Texas, Indiana, Illinois, Georgia, and Alabama to that list, xzins.
Hey, I wonder how Chicagoans will react when their power costs double. I’m sure this will be a great thing for poor people in general - oh, wait, Obama will have to come up with money to pay for peoples’ electricity, too...
BTW, did anyone hear Mitt Romney on Glenn Beck this morning, pointing out that much higher electricity costs would diminish the acceptance and usage of electric cars? I was clapping and cheering, since I’d posted the same thing in a couple threads on FR last night — a case of “dittos”?!