U.S. Coal Prices Push Higher With Support From Natural Gas
US coal market prices extended a steady rally in November, with export and domestic benchmarks making gains.
Through 2027, firm natural gas prices are expected to support increased coal generation, driving stable or growing coal production. After 2027, the US coal market is forecast to face pressure from the expansion of zero-carbon electricity, incentivized in part by broad-based tax credits. Overall, the S&P Global Market Indicative Power Forecast projects 38.4 GW of coal plant retirements by 2035, with much of the planned retirement activity deferred until after 2030.
Coal plant generation share through 2035 is forecast to decline slowly to just 7.5% from 18.7% of total generation in 2026. The rapid phaseout of tax credits under the recently approved US tax and spending bill — also referred to as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act — is forecast to slow the wind and solar generation growth, allowing coal plants to run more often after 2030. The most production uplift will take place at the Powder River Basin (PRB), followed by the Illinois Basin (ILB), as the reduced growth of wind and solar generation mainly affects the generation mix in the Midcontinental US.
The take
US coal prices again moved higher in November, with production and shipments essentially flat year over year for the month.
The S&P Global Market Indicative Power Forecast anticipates 38.4 GW of coal plant retirements by 2035, amid market pressure to retain existing generation due to greater reliability needs and slower forecast growth in solar and wind energy.
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These 15 Coal Plants Would Have Retired. Then Came AI and Trump.
Since the second Trump administration took power in January, at least 15 coal plants have had planned retirements pushed back or delayed indefinitely, a DeSmog analysis found.
That’s mostly due to an expected rise in electricity demand, a surge largely driven by the rise of high-powered data centers needed to train and run artificial intelligence (AI) models. But some of the plants have been ordered to stay open by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), despite significant environmental and financial costs. Energy Secretary Chris Wright, a former fracking executive, has frequently cited “winning the AI race” as a rationale for re-investing in coal.
The fossil fuel facilities are located in regions across the country, from Maryland to Michigan and Georgia to Wyoming. Together, their two dozen coal-fired generators emitted more than 68 million tons of carbon dioxide in 2024. That’s more than the total emissions of Delaware, Maryland, and Washington, D.C. combined.
Nearly 75 percent of the coal plants were on track to shutter in the next two years.
The delays buck the overall trend in the U.S., where coal’s importance as an energy source has diminished rapidly over the past two decades. Coal’s critics say this broad-based phaseout is an urgent matter of public and environmental health. Often called the “dirtiest fossil fuel,” coal creates more climate emissions per gigawatt-hour of electricity than any other power source. And the human impacts of its pollution have been profound: A 2023 study in Science attributed 460,000 extra U.S. deaths between 1999 and 2020 to sulfur dioxide particulate pollution belched out by coal plants.
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Manchin Urges Lawmakers to Stop Acting in Attack Mode Amid Political Violence
Politicians should “calm down” and stop approaching one another in “attack mode” amid the US’s climate of political violence, former US senator Joe Manchin said on Sunday.
The West Virginia independent who generally caucused with Senate Democrats echoed similar comments made at a town hall Saturday by Erika Kirk, the widow of conservative political activist Charlie Kirk, who was shot to death in September.
“We’ve got to calm down a little bit,” Manchin said on WABC 770 AM’s Cats Roundtable. “We’ve just got to calm it down. Everyone should want your elected leaders to do well and you don’t have to be scathing against him and saying: ‘I hate this person, hate that person.’ Just say: ‘Listen, I disagree. I wish they would consider something else.’”
He said that too many lawmakers remain “in attack mode”, adding: “You are not the enemy. And the American people aren’t stupid.”
Manchin had long been a Democrat but left the party in 2024 to register as an independent – shortly before retiring from the Senate after 15 years in office.
A wealthy coal industry executive, Manchin argued that the party had grown intolerant and heavy-handed toward ordinary citizens, placing the blame on progressive activists.
In his Sunday remarks, Manchin urged both Democrats and Republicans to free themselves from the influence of the “far left” and “far right” and focus instead on forming a “sensible majority” capable of advancing policy.
“I’m fiscally responsible and socially compassionate,” Manchin said. “I think most Democrats and Republicans feel that way. They might have different ideas of how to solve the problem, but they all are Americans. They feel strongly about our country.”
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Keep the Lights On, Keep West Virginia Strong
By Chris Hamilton
This week, Public Service Commission Chair Charlotte Lane provided clarity on an issue that has generated unnecessary speculation: West Virginia has no plans to shut down its coal-fired power plants. As she stated directly, no utility has filed any request to close any plant, and the PSC has no intention of initiating such a process.
Her remarks offer an important reminder that coal-fired generation remains essential to the stability, reliability, and economic health of West Virginia’s power system.
Chris Hamilton
Lane emphasized the fact that energy professionals widely acknowledge coal provides the baseload generation required to keep electricity available in all conditions. Renewable sources such as wind and solar have a role to play, but they cannot independently sustain a reliable grid. Their output is intermittent by nature. The PSC chair put it simply — you cannot rely on solar when the sun isn’t shining or on wind when conditions are calm.
That point matters. West Virginia’s industrial customers, hospitals, manufacturers, small businesses, and households depend on uninterrupted electricity. Coal plants deliver that service every day, regardless of weather or season. Maintaining that reliability is not optional. It is the foundation of public safety, economic development, and responsible governance.
Lane also highlighted the broader economic impacts that accompany the closure of coal-fired facilities. These plants support thousands of direct and indirect jobs. They generate significant tax revenue for state and local governments. They anchor communities across the state. Closing them would have immediate and long-lasting consequences for employment, local budgets, and regional stability.
Her message was clear: shutting down coal plants would not be in West Virginia’s best interest. The PSC has an obligation to ensure affordable, dependable power for West Virginians, and coal continues to be a central part of fulfilling that obligation.
Chris Hamilton is the President of the West Virginia Coal Association.
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Help the Friends of Coal Ladies Auxiliary!
Below is a message from Regina Fairchild, Chair, Friends of Coal Ladies Auxiliary, Chair:
Dear Friends,
As a holiday season approaches, we are reminded of the warmth, hope and joy it brings. Sadly, for hundreds of children throughout our state, this season can be a stark reminder of what they lack. The Giving Heart’s program aims to change that and we need your help.
With your generous donation, we can provide gifts, warm clothing and festive meals to children who would otherwise go without.
Every contribution, big or small, lights up a child’s face with the magic of Christmas.
Please join us in making this season unforgettable for those who need it the most. Your kindness will not only fill stockings, but also hearts with hope and gratitude.
To donate or learn more please send a check or go through our website Friendsofcoalladies.com. Any questions, reach out directly to Regina Fairchild 304-673-2995.
Thank you for giving from the heart!
Warmest wishes,
Regina Fairchild
Chair
Friends of Coal Ladies Auxiliary
P.S. We have raised $45,000, so far, and need $80,000 to complete this mission. PLEASE, please can you help?
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