Coal beneath federally managed public lands could supply the United States for at least 600 years at current consumption rates, according to a new assessment from the US Geological Survey (USGS), reinforcing the Trump administration's push to revive the coal sector.

The USGS report estimates 4.2 billion short tons of reported coal reserves tied to active mines, along with an additional 356 billion short tons of available coal resources on federally managed lands. The 600-year figure is based on the broader resource estimate rather than proven reserves alone, reflecting coal that has been identified in the ground but may not yet be economic to extract. In 2024, 34 coal mines operating on federal lands produced more than 261 million short tons, according to the agency.

Wyoming accounts for 14 of those mines and holds 87% of reported reserves associated with active federal mines. The North Antelope Rochelle mine, located in the Powder River Basin — the nation's largest coal-producing region, accounting for over 40% of total US coal output — was identified as the world's largest coal mine by reported reserves.

"American Energy Dominance is more important than ever, and so is beautiful clean coal's role in the production of electricity needed to fuel our future prosperity," Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said in a statement. "Thanks to the USGS's rigorous and independent assessment, we're better equipped to manage America's vast public lands responsibly while supporting energy security and economic opportunity."

The assessment supports President Donald Trump's broader effort to revitalize the coal industry. Trump signed Executive Order 14261 directing a review of coal resources beneath federal lands, while Burgum added metallurgical coal to the 2025 List of Critical Minerals. Separately, a recent report found that banks and investors pumped $52 billion into metallurgical coal between 2022 and 2024.

The policy push comes as coal's share of US electricity generation has fallen from roughly 50% in 2005 to approximately 16% in 2023, primarily displaced by cheaper natural gas and expanding renewable energy capacity. However, utilities and grid operators across the country have reported surging electricity demand driven by data center construction, manufacturing reshoring, and electrification, which the administration has cited as justification for maintaining coal-fired generation.

The USGS report also calls for additional geological mapping in Alaska, where the agency estimates at least 140 billion short tons of coal resources but says the state could contain as much as 5.5 trillion short tons.

Mine Breakdown and Policy Context

Of the active federal mines covered by the study, 29 produce thermal coal for electricity generation, three Alabama operations produce metallurgical coal for steelmaking, and one Colorado mine supplies the cement industry. One Utah mine remains idled. The federal lands examined are administered by the Departments of Agriculture, Defense, Energy, and Interior, along with the Tennessee Valley Authority.

The report comes as the Trump administration has committed more than $1 billion to bolster the US coal industry, including funding to extend the operating lives of coal-fired power plants and expand production capacity.

The policy direction represents a sharp contrast with the position of climate scientists, who continue to argue that reducing coal, oil, and gas consumption is essential to limiting global warming and avoiding more severe climate impacts.