
sep 26, 2019 coal was a significant energy source in texas before the development of oil and gas. early texas settlers undoubtedly mined both coal and lignite from numerous outcroppings across the state for use in their homes, stores, and blacksmith shops. commercial mining, however, did not begin until the 1880s. coal production, first listed at 125,000,what is coal used for usgs,in coal-fired power plants, bituminous coal, subbituminous coal, or lignite is burned. the heat produced by the combustion of the coal is used to convert water into high-pressure steam, which drives a turbine, which produces electricity. in 2019, about 23 percent of all electricity in the united states was generated by coal-fired power plants, according to the u.s. energy