America’s Untapped Export Potential

America has the world’s largest coal reserves. It’s an extraordinary competitive advantage and a remarkable opportunity as global coal demand grows and nations scramble for energy security as the conflict with Iran continues. But U.S. coal exports – and our market share of global coal trade – remain far below what our vast resources suggest they should be.

A new report from the National Coal Council, “Outlook and Opportunities for U.S. Coal Exports,” tells an important story about a thriving industry but one with vast untapped potential – potential than can be quickly realized with the right policy framework.

As the report highlights, in 2025, the U.S. exported 93 million short tons of coal creating more than $10 billion in revenue and 36,000-plus jobs. But with abundant resources and growing demand abroad, the U.S. could be exporting far more.

“American coal should be dominating the global markets, and with improved infrastructure and fairer market access, it can,” said Jimmy Brock, NCC Vice Chair and Chairman and CEO of Core Natural Resources, who led the development of the report. 

One of the key findings of the report is the urgent need for dramatically expanded West Coast port capacity. The Asia-Pacific region now accounts for 85% of global coal imports but the U.S lacks any significant West Coast export capacity, forcing producers to rely on East Coast and Gulf terminals, putting them at a significant disadvantage to international competitors. 

Sailing from the Port of New Orleans to Tokyo, for example, takes 32 days while it takes just 15 from New Castle in Australia. However, the sailing time from San Francisco/ Oakland to Tokyo is 16 days. Expanding West Coast export capacity to grow U.S. market share is essential.

“We are again reminded that global electricity demand is climbing, steel production is expanding and geopolitical tensions are making reliable energy supplies ever-more essential,” added Rich Nolan, Chair of the National Coal Council Exports Subcommittee and President and CEO of the National Mining Association. “The recent Middle East conflict and surge in power demand from data centers are adding pressure to electricity systems already strained by limited access to liquefied natural gas and other fuels. Increased coal exports are a logical solution to the problem.”

The report finds that the primary constraint for U.S. coal is not resource availability but access to markets and prohibitive regulatory, tax and fee structures. To unlock the full economic and strategic value of U.S. coal resources, it recommends:

1. Prioritizing the development and modernization of world-class export infrastructure, including the development of critically needed increased West Coast port capacity and Expanded Eastern and Gulf capacity.
2. Reforming and streamlining permitting processes and the regulatory environment.
3. Right-sizing tax and fee policies.
4. Improving coal transportation networks.
5. Making coal a priority in trade agreements.
6. Enhancing productivity and technology utilization to promote world-class mining innovation.

For more, see the NMA’s infographic on key takeaways from the report: