While #coal plants once generated nearly half of America’s #electricity, they produced just 16% last year. Hundreds of coal plants have retired since the mid-2000s as utilities switched to #NaturalGas, #wind & #solar power. Stricter #regulations on #air & #water #pollution have also made burning coal more expensive. Coal #mining, which has been linked to significant air pollution & water contamination as well as #BlackLung #disease in coal miners, has also faced increased federal restrictions.