Why promote Illinois coal?

Coal is an affordable, reliable and secure fuel. Between 2000 and 2009, the average cost for coal for the electric power industry ranged from $1.20 to $2.21 per mmBtu. This compares to $3.56 to $9.02 per mmBtu for natural gas and $3.34 to $10.87 for oil.

Illinois has a 250-year supply of coal. With 1.189 billion tons, Illinois has the largest recoverable bituminous coal reserve of any state in the United States.

Coal has socioeconomic importance to Illinois. The Illinois coal industry is a nearly $1 billion industry. Coal is mined in 12 Illinois counties.

Clean coal technology can reduce emissions of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, mercury, particulates and carbon dioxide. 

To learn more about Illinois coal and the Illinois Office of Coal Development programs see the menu at the left. Click here to read OCD program objectives. (Program Overview)