"For American coal, 2019 was bad, 2020 will be worse, and in 2021, renewables will surpass coal in electricity generation for the first time ever, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
EIA's latest short-term energy outlook yesterday showcased U.S. coal companies' dire predicament: Coal-fired power plants keep closing, and exports will no longer help fill the void.
Trends in the coal industry have defied President Trump's promises and his administration's regulatory attempts to save the industry.
After a precipitous global decline, coal production stabilized early in Trump administration due to volatile markets abroad and rejuvenated exports. But mining slowed in 2019, and in 2020, EIA expects production to dip to under 600 million tons for first time since 1973.
If the predictions prove true, coal production will have dropped 18% during Trump's first term."
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