Based on preliminary data from the United States Energy Information Administration, coal generation in the United States raised to 1,085.3mn short tonnes in year 2010. US coal utilization raised in all segments except institutional and commercial whereas coal stocks fell a bit.
In 2010 coal generation increased by 1 percent. The Interior and Western regions rose generation by 7.4 percent and 1.1 percent respectively, whereas the Appalachian Region registered a decline of 2.1 percent. Boost in Interior Region generation was increased by 6.5mn short tonnes increase in Texas generation. The Interior and Western regions generated 10.8mn short tonnes and 6.6mn short tonnes respectively in 2010.
Progress in the United States economy led to a rise in the consumption of coal, along with a warm summer and cold winter in coal utilizing regions. Overall coal utilization raised by 5.1 percent from 2009 levels to 1,048.3mn short tonnes. Coal fired production raised by 42mn short tonnes in the electric power segment and by 13.9 percent in all other segments.
Coal costs per short tonne for the electric power segment increased by 1.4 percent and by 3.9 percent for self-governing power generators to US$41.49 per short tonne. Coking coal costs rose by 7.4 percent to an average cost of USD 153.59 per short tonne whereas costs for the industrial sector chopped down by 1 percent. US export costs for metallurgical coal increased by 23.5 percent in 2010 whereas exports for United States steam coal chopped down by 11 percent. The average cost of imported coal increased by 12.3 percent. Coal costs at electric utilities rose to USD 45.09 per short tonne the 10th successive year it boosted.