From mine to plug: The 2009 Factuality Tour explains the coal-generated electricity process

Here at ACCCE, we know how important coal-generated electricity is to America – I know, our name makes that pretty obvious. But it’s true – half of our country’s power comes from coal. Without it, a lot of us would literally be sitting in the dark. But a lot of people don’t know that – and it’s understandable why that’s the case. It’s so easy to flip the switch, many people just don’t think about where their electricity comes from.

That’s why Steve Gates, our national communications director, went on a cross-country tour to show you exactly where coal comes from - and how it ends up as the electricity powering your life. So be sure to keep up with Steve as he chronicles his visits to our country’s largest coal mine, learns about America’s complex rail network, and visits some of the nation’s most technologically advanced power plants.

Steve’s first stop was Arch Coal’s Black Thunder Surface Mine in Wyoming’s Powder River Basin. Check out his blog posts from the mine, take a video tour of the world’s largest dragline excavator (Seriously – it’s huge!) and listen as Black Thunder workers talk about how important safety, the environment and land reclamation efforts are to them.