Coal plays an important role in the world of electricity and industry. Comprised of the remains of plants dating back 100 to 400 million years ago, heat and pressure turned dead plant material into a nonrenewable energy source called a fossil fuel. At one point, coal was a central energy source for heating homes or other buildings in America, but has since been replaced with gas and electric heat.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration analyzes the average sales price of coal by state and the type of mine. They post their findings in a report that is released each year. In the October 1, 2010 report, the price of coal is displayed in regards to coal-producing states in the United States.
The average U.S. total cost of coal is $33.15 per short ton.
The numbers below express the total average cost of coal in dollars per short ton for individual states in the United States.
New Mexico: $30.71
North Dakota: $13.59
West Virginia: $63.62
The U.S. Energy Information Administration will release their next report on how much coal costs in September 2011.