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August 27, 2026 - U.S. coal production increased during the week ending August 22, 2026, according to the latest estimates from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). Nationwide output totaled approximately 10.6 million short tons for the week, rising from about 10.3 million short tons the previous week. Production was essentially unchanged from the comparable week in 2025, when output also stood at roughly 10.6 million short tons.
Despite the weekly increase, coal production remains lower for the year overall. U.S. mines produced an estimated 330.4 million short tons through August 22, representing a 2.6% decline from approximately 339.3 million short tons during the same period last year.
Bituminous and lignite coal accounted for about 10.5 million short tons of the latest weekly total. Wyoming remained the country's largest coal-producing state, contributing nearly 4.5 million short tons.
Other major producing areas included Northern West Virginia with 907,000 short tons, bituminous coal operations in Pennsylvania with 770,000 short tons, Southern West Virginia with 692,000 short tons, Illinois with 612,000 short tons, North Dakota with 430,000 short tons, and Montana with 404,000 short tons.
Production trends varied considerably by state during the first part of 2026. Alabama recorded the strongest year-over-year growth at 17.6%, followed by New Mexico at 13.3% and Alaska at 9.4%. Louisiana increased production by 5.2%, Missouri by 2.7%, and Wyoming by 1.6%.
Several coal-producing areas experienced significant declines. Maryland's year-to-date production fell 23.6%, while Utah declined 21.5%. Ohio was down 14.3%, Montana dropped 13.8%, Colorado decreased 10.9%, and Southern West Virginia production was 10.6% below the comparable 2025 level.
On a regional basis, Western coal production led the country during the week at approximately 5.86 million short tons. Appalachian mines produced about 3.17 million short tons, while the Interior region contributed roughly 1.57 million short tons.
Coal production west of the Mississippi River totaled approximately 6.12 million short tons, compared with about 4.48 million short tons from operations east of the river.
Rail activity also increased from the previous week. Coal-related railroad loadings totaled 61,904 for the week, compared with 60,219 a week earlier. That figure remained slightly below the 62,043 loadings reported during the comparable week in 2025.
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