According to the data, natural gas prices made a sharp turnaround in April 2012 and have risen gradually since, prompting a rise in coal-fired electric generation.

Coal consumption for electric power generation was its lowest in April at 51.8 million tons, peaked in July at 86.4Mt and was gradually increasing as 2012 came to a close from 72.2Mt in October to 78.3Mt in December.

The EPA predicts electricity demand to grow 28% by 2040 and projects an increase in natural gas-fired generation (30%), as well as coal-fired generation (18%) between now and 2040 to meet this demand.

Total consumption across all sectors showed similar trends, as the electric power sector accounts for the majority of coal consumption.

Total coal consumption continues to decrease year-over-year since 2010, with 2012 consumption down 11.3% from 2011.

Fourth-quarter coal exports of 28Mt surpassed the five-year (2007-2011) Q4 range, increasing 1.2% from Q4 2011.

While coal exports to European markets accounted for more than half of all US coal exports, China, South Korea, India and Japan remained among the top 10 destinations for exports during the quarter.