Most coal plants in the United States were built before 1990

U.S. Energy Information Administration -------- Coal-fired electricity generators accounted for 25% of operating electricity generating capacity in the United States and generated about 30% of U.S. electricity in 2016. Most coal-fired capacity (88%) was built between 1950 and 1990, and the capacity-weighted average age of operating coal facilities is 39 years. About half of the coal capacity operating in 2016 use bituminous coal as their main energy source, a type of coal that comes from Appalachian states such as West Virginia, Kentucky, and Pennsylvania. Bituminous coal is the most abundant type of coal in the United States and is more commonly produced in eastern and midwestern states. Bituminous coal has a greater range of sulfur content. The other half of coal plants use subbituminous coal, which is mostly produced in western states such as Wyoming and generally has a lower sulfur content than most bituminous coals. Less than 5% of operating coal capacity uses lignite or other coal types. To learn more click on the picture below to read the article.