The demand for the “world’s dirtiest” fossil fuel, coal, appears to be declining giving a shy of relief for environmentalists.  At its peak production in 2006, more than 1,150 million of short tons were produced in the U.S. and at the end of 2012, the production estimated at 900 million short tons, indicating a sharp decline.  The Appalachia area produces the “dirtier” coal in the U.S.  Many factors contribute to the current decline.  The cleaner burning natural gas production in the U.S. is on the rise for the last six years and the prices are dropping making it a cheaper source of fuel.  On the other hand, the Obama Administration is tightening its pollution-control standards on coal miners making it difficult for them to make a good profit.

The international demand for coal is mainly coming from China.  Major Chinese cities are under heavy criticism for dirty air that darkens cities and for polluted air that is hard to breath.  The global economic crisis is also impacting many developing countries that are relying on cheaper source of fuel imports.  Together the worldwide demand for coal is dropping sharply and may help to improve the global environment.