Coal Distributions for Non-Electric Power Use Decline in the South

Coal deliveries for non-electric power uses in the southern United States have seen a significant decline over the past 15 years, dropping by approximately 75% between 2010 and 2025. This reduction, amounting to nearly 14.7 million short tons, primarily reflects the decreasing demand for coal in manufacturing sectors. Historically, the South received more than twice the coal volume for non-power purposes than the Northeast, but by 2025, coal deliveries to both regions have converged to similar levels. The decline has been driven largely by manufacturers shifting from coal to natural gas and the closure of coal-dependent plants, particularly in industries such as paper production, primary metals, chemicals, and coking. States within the Appalachian coal belt, including West Virginia, Alabama, Virginia, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Georgia, experienced the largest volume decreases, averaging 1.7 million short tons each. Florida, West Virginia, Georgia, Texas, and South Carolina saw percentage declines exceeding 90%, while Louisiana was a notable exception, increasing its coal receipts for non-electric uses by 775%, though this remains a small fraction of the region’s total coal distribution. The broader context highlights a national trend of reduced coal consumption within the manufacturing sector, with total coal use falling from 60 million short tons in 2010 to 43 million short tons in 2022. The South accounted for the majority of this reduction, with coal use dropping 60% from 20 million to 8 million short tons during the same period. This shift aligns with increased natural gas consumption by the affected industries, which rose between 16% and 200%, underscoring a transition to cleaner and more flexible energy sources. These changes reflect structural shifts in the energy and manufacturing landscape of the southern United States, where coal’s role outside of power generation is rapidly diminishing. The decline in coal use not only signals evolving industrial energy preferences but also points to broader economic transformations, including plant closures and changes in production processes. Moving forward, this trend may influence regional energy policies and the future of coal-related infrastructure in the South.