Alabama’s Dependence on Imported Coal

In 2008, Alabama imported 79% of the coal used for its electricity generation, resulting in a net expenditure of $1.39 billion. The state's electricity mix was dominated by coal (51.1%) and nuclear (26.7%). Alabama spent the most per person ($297) and the most relative to gross state product (0.82%) on net coal imports compared to other US states. To reduce this dependence, the document suggests investing in energy efficiency—noting that Alabama spent only 49 cents per person on such programs in 2007—and utilizing renewable resources which could technically meet 56% of the state's 2008 power demand.

• In 2008, Alabama imported 79 percent of the coal it used, spending $1.53 billion on these imports, with the largest payments going to Colombia and Wyoming. After accounting for $141 million in coal exports to other states, Alabama's net expenditure on imported coal was $1.39 billion.
• Coal was the primary source of Alabama's in-state electricity generation in 2008, accounting for 51.1% of the mix, followed by nuclear at 26.7%, natural gas at 15.3%, hydroelectric at 4.2%, and non-hydro renewables at 2.3%.
• Compared to other US states, Alabama had the highest net coal import spending per person ($297) and the highest net import spending relative to its gross state product (0.82%). It also spent the most on international imports, totaling $489 million, and ranked 6th in total net imports ($1.39 billion) and 10th in net weight (25.4 million tons).
• Alabama's investment in energy efficiency was minimal in 2007, spending only 49 cents per person on ratepayer-funded programs, which is approximately 600 times less than its spending on imported coal. A 1% annual reduction in electricity use could save consumers $50 million and reduce imported coal spending by $16.7 million in the first year.
• Renewable energy resources could technically provide at least 56% of Alabama's 2008 power demand. Potential sources include forestry by-products, energy crops like switchgrass, solar energy, small-scale hydropower, landfill gas, and geothermal energy.

APA

Union of Concerned Scientists (2010). Alabama’s Dependence on Imported Coal. https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2019-09/UCS-BCBC-factsheet-Alabama.pdf

Chicago

Union of Concerned Scientists. Alabama’s Dependence on Imported Coal. 2010. https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2019-09/UCS-BCBC-factsheet-Alabama.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Union of Concerned Scientists |title=Alabama’s Dependence on Imported Coal |date=May 2010 |url=https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2019-09/UCS-BCBC-factsheet-Alabama.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{unionofconcernedscientists2010alabamas, author = {{Union of Concerned Scientists}}, title = {{Alabama’s Dependence on Imported Coal}}, institution = {Union of Concerned Scientists}, year = {2010}, month = may, url = {https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2019-09/UCS-BCBC-factsheet-Alabama.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }