OVERVIEW

Coal has played a foundational role in shaping the energy systems, industrial base, and regional economies of the Southwestern United States for more than a century and remains a strategically significant domestic resource, providing power and fuel security. This article examines coal’s historical role in the Southwest, assesses its current status, and evaluates pathways to stabilize and optimize existing assets while expanding coal’s contribution through non-power applications, including critical minerals, construction materials, and advanced carbon products.