Oct. 17 (UPI) -- U.S. coal production in the first half of the year is slightly lower than last year, but remains a significant source for electricity, the government said.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration reported total U.S. coal production during the first half of the year was slightly lower than the same time last year, but higher than the first half 2016. The EIA's report said declines in 2017 were driven in part by lower demand for steam coal, which accounted for 90 percent of total U.S. production and serves as the main component for coal-fired electricity generation.