The primary reason for the decline in U.S. coal production is the rise in natural gas production.

The decline in U.S. coal production is primarily driven by the surge in natural gas production, which has become a cheaper and more environmentally friendly alternative for power generation. Advances in hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling have made natural gas more abundant and accessible, leading power plants to shift from coal to natural gas for electricity. Additionally, natural gas burns cleaner than coal, helping states and industries meet stricter environmental standards. This shift has reduced demand for coal, causing a steady decline in production, and reshaping the U.S. energy landscape toward cleaner, more sustainable energy sources.