Coal in Kentucky Today
For more than a century, coal powered Kentucky's economy, provided thousands of jobs, and supplied electricity across the nation. Coal remains an important part of Kentucky's energy mix and heritage.
Coal Industry at a Glance:
As of 2026, less than 4,000 Kentuckians work in coal mining
Employment has fallen dramatically from about 15,000 miners in 2000.
Coal mining now accounts for less than 1% of Kentucky jobs.
Fewer than 100 active coal mines remain
Kentucky had 94 active mines in 2024, down from 112 in 2023.
Coal production continues to decline.
Kentucky produced 24.3 million tons of coal in 2024, a 14% decrease from the previous year.
Why Is Coal Declining?
Several factors have contributed:
Natural gas has become cheaper for power plants.
New energy technologies and solar energy has grown rapidly.
Many older coal-fired power plants have retired.
Modern mining allows companies to produce coal with fewer workers.
Benefits
Easy to transport
Accessible resource for Kentucky
Usually cheaper than renewable energy sources
Challenges
Difficult to control greenhouse gas emissions
Upgrading old plants can be expensive
Coal Still Matters in Kentucky:
Coal generates about two-thirds of Kentucky's electricity
Roughly 66% of Kentucky's electricity came from coal in 2025.
Kentucky remains one of the most coal-dependent states in the country.
Coal supports local communities:
Coal jobs and tax revenue remain important in parts of Eastern and Western Kentucky.
Many communities continue to feel the economic impacts of coal's decline.
Sources:
University of Kentucky Center for Business and Economic Research - https://cber.uky.edu/
WEKU – Kentucky coal production rises in 4th quarter, while employment declines - https://www.weku.org/the-commonwealth/2026-02-15/kentucky-coal-production-rises-in-4th-quarter-while-employment-declines
Kentucky Energy & Environment Cabinet – Quarterly Coal Report - https://eec.ky.gov/Energy/News-Publications/Quarterly%20Coal%20Reports/2024-Q4.pdf
Louisville Public Media / WEKU – Kentucky coal production fell 14% in 2024, mines now under 100 - https://www.lpm.org/news/2025-11-20/kentucky-coal-production-fell-14-in-2024-mines-now-under-100
Alternative WEKU version - https://www.weku.org/the-commonwealth/2025-11-20/kentucky-coal-production-fell-14-in-2024-mines-now-under-100
WEKU – Kentucky Coal Employment Slumps to Record Low in 2nd Quarter - https://www.weku.org/the-commonwealth/2025-11-06/kentucky-coal-employment-slumps-to-record-low-in-2nd-quarter
Looking Ahead:
While Kentucky's coal industry declined over the past few years, it is on the rise again. The state’s legislature has announced plans to increase coal production as a significant source of electricity and employment. Research is also being done at the University of Kentucky to explore other, industrial uses of coal, particularly in battery storage.