The United States is fortunate to hold the largest reserves of coal in the world. Moreover, coal’s unique properties and technological advances enable today’s electric utilities to use less coal, while improving efficiencies at power plants.

 

Lignite is a type of coal that is extremely abundant in North Dakota and can also be found in other regions of the country including the Gulf Coast states of Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi. Other types of coal used in the production of electricity include subbituminous and bituminous coal. Montana, for instance, has all three types of coal. Lignite coal is often found near the surface, making it more accessible and safer to mine.