New Government Report Predicts Coal Will Remain Dominant Electricity Fuel Long into the Future

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Apr 27, 2011 -- BUSINESS WIRE

Coal is likely to remain the dominant source of American electricity for decades to come, according to a new report from the U.S. Energy Department's Energy Information Administration. EIA's American Energy Outlook 2011 predicts that, absent overly stringent new federal regulations, electricity generation from coal will increase by 25 percent from 2009 to 2035 and that coal will generate 43 percent of America's electricity in 2035.

"This report underscores the important role that coal will play long into the future," said Steve Miller, president and CEO of the American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity. "Coal will continue to be America's fuel for decades to come because it will remain affordable, reliable and will be used in an increasingly clean manner."

Earlier this year, ACCCE released a report showing that among energy used by American households, electricity has experienced relatively low price increases since 2001. Coal currently provides nearly one-half of America's electricity supply, and has contributed to the relative stability of consumer electricity prices.

An executive summary of the EIA report can be found here: http://www.eia.doe.gov/forecasts/aeo/chapter_executive_summary.cfm

About ACCCE

The American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity (ACCCE) is a non-profit, non-partisan partnership of companies involved in producing electricity from coal. Because coal is America's most abundant energy resource, ACCCE supports energy policies that balance coal's vital role in meeting our country's growing need for affordable and reliable electricity with the need to protect the environment. ACCCE also advocates for the development and deployment of advanced clean coal technologies that will produce electricity with near-zero emissions. For more information, visit www.cleancoalusa.org or www.americaspower.org.

SOURCE: American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity (ACCCE)

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