U.S. coal production estimates posted an upward trend in the week ending August 22, rising for a second consecutive week, according to data released by the Energy Information Administration (EIA) on August 27.

Estimated output totaled 10.6 million short tons (9.61 million tonnes) in the week, up 2.8% from the previous week but down 3.44% from a year earlier.

Wyoming and Montana produced an estimated 4.9 million short tons, up 2.83% week on week and 5.62% higher than the same period last year.

Illinois output reached 612,400 short tons, up 2.75% from a week earlier but down 15.5% year on year. The Appalachian region produced 3.17 million short tons, up 2.71% week on week and down 6.51% from a year ago.

Cumulative U.S. coal output since the start of 2026 stands at approximately 330 million short tons, down 2.6% from 340 million short tons in the same period last year.

Rail coal shipments totaled 61,904 carloads during the week, up 1,685 carloads from the prior week but down 139 carloads year on year. Year-to-date rail coal loadings reached 1.91 million carloads, down 1.9% from a year earlier.