[Hoot Gibson]

U.S. Coal Reserves: An Update by Heat and Sulfur Content

Low-sulfur recoverable coal reserves in the United States are estimated to total almost 100.2 billion short tons, 87 percent of which is concentrated in the West.

Montana Quick Facts

As of the end of 2010, [B]Montana held over one-quarter of the estimated recoverable reserve base of coal in the United States and was the sixth largest coal-producing State in 2011, supplying 3.8 percent of U.S. coal and distributing it to 13 States.[/B]

Coal in Montana

With the exception of the small lignite mine at Sidney, Montana production is entirely low-sulfur subbituminous coal, with 17-18 million Btu per ton. Like most Western coal, Montana coal is cleaner but lower in heat content than coal mined in the East.

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