Coal consumption by U.S. colleges and universities dropped 64 percent from 2008 to 2015, the U.S. Energy Information Administration announced Tuesday. “Coal consumption by educational institutions such as colleges and universities in the United States fell from 2 million short tons in 2008 to 700,000 short tons in 2015. Consumption declined in each of the 57 institutions that used coal in 2008, with 20 of these institutions no longer using coal at all,” an EIA release says.
Educational institutions in 21 states used coal in 2008, according to EIA data. “Educational institutions in New York, South Carolina, Idaho, and South Dakota ceased to use coal between 2008 and 2015. These institutions either built or expanded their natural gas capacity, aided by state funding, or increased their electricity purchases from public utilities,” the release says.
Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, and Tennessee made the largest reductions in coal consumption during this time period, according to the data. “Educational institutions in Indiana collectively reduced coal consumption by 260,000 tons (81%) from 2008 to 2015,” the release says. “Educational institutions in Michigan reduced their coal use by more than 80% over this period. … Some institutions in Missouri added more renewable sources of power, replacing coal with biomass. Three institutions in Tennessee stopped using coal between 2008 and 2015, resulting in a 94% drop in coal consumption by institutions in the state.”