Energy by the numbers

The U.S. Department of Labor defines a coal miner as anyone at the mine site and paid by the hour. Electricians, diesel mechanics, carpenters, etc., are all considered “miners” if they work at the mine site and are paid by the hour. Given that definition, western coal miners produce more than 20 tons of coal per miner-hour.

A typical Maine household will consume 7,000 kilowatt-hours of electric energy per year. About one pound of coal is needed to generate one kilowatt-hour.

One coal miner, working for one hour, can produce sufficient coal, which, if taken to a modern coal-to-electricity plant, can generate the electricity needed by a Maine household for six years. Let’s say that again: One hour of work will produce the fuel needed to provide electricity to a Maine household for six years!

Coal miners are very good at what they do. All “alternative energy” schemes find coal to be difficult competition.