Why
Study Coal in Illinois?
The
ISGS
Coal Section
is primarily
concerned with the study of the coalbearing Pennsylvanian rocks
in the Illinois coal field that underlie 37,000 square miles or
68% of the state. More than 211 billion tons of identified resources
are currently estimated to lie beneath the state. Of this amount,
the demonstrated reserve base is 112 billion tons, as defined in
terms of minimum thickness and some geologic assurance of coal's
presence. This demonstrated coal reserve base is the second largest
in the United States and, for bituminous coal, is the largest in
the nation.
Illinois
coal resources hold more BTUs (British thermal units, a measure
of heat) than all of Saudi Arabia's and Kuwait's oil reserves combined.
The electric industry is by far the largest user of Illinois coal.
In the United States, 52% of the nation's electricity comes from
coal generation. Coal makes up nearly 85% of the U.S. fuel resources
and, at present rates of consumption, should last for more than
250 years. Thus, coal is expected to be an important part of the
energy mix for a long time to come. By year 2020, electricity consumption
is expected to grow by 35% in the United States and by 70% worldwide.
Much of this increase is due to computer use, proving that even
in this modern computer information age, we still need coal! Finally,
coal provides nearly $1 billion dollars a year to the economy of
the state, and continued study of coal resources is needed to improve
the overall economic outlook of Illinois.
More Coal Information
Current
Projects
Coal—Illinois'
Black Treasure
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