Nationwide, coal was the second-largest source of electricity during 2019, providing approximately 24 percent of U.S. electricity needs. In North Dakota, coal-based power plants are the largest source of electricity, providing more than 60 percent of all power consumed.  

The U.S. has vast supplies of coal. As of 2018, the Energy Information Administration estimates that recoverable coal reserves total slightly more than 253 billion tons. At current rates of consumption, the nation’s coal reserves would last for roughly 500 years. In North Dakota, the state’s vast reserves of economically recoverable lignite are expected to last more than 800 years at current consumption rates. 

Some 92 percent of domestic coal is consumed for electricity generation in the U.S. In North Dakota, about 80 percent is  used for electric generation with the other 20 percent used to make fertilizers, synthetic natural gas and other valuable chemicals at the Great Plains Synfuels Plant. 

There’s no doubt about it, coal offers many benefits to the United States and lignite coal provides many of the same benefits to North Dakota and surrounding states.