U.S. Coal Development--Promises, Uncertainties

Coal represents 90 percent of the Nation's total fossil fuel reserves, but it currently supplies only 18 percent of energy needs. The administration proposes to double annual coal production and use 1.2 billion tons by 1985, up from 665 million tons in 1976. This report is intended to be a reference document as well as an identification of the principal problems, tradeoffs, and alternatives to assist the Congress and other decisionmakers in formulating a national energy policy.