In 1984, United States mines produced a record high 890.1 million short tons of coal, 13.8% more than in 1983. In 1984, 49% of this coal was produced in the Appalachian region, still the leading coal-producing region in the nation. The Alaskan coalfields, the Rocky Mountain Coal Province, and the Northern Great Plains Coal Province together rank second, and the Interior Coal Province and Gulf Coal Province together rank third in 1984 coal production.

Among the states, Kentucky continued to rank first in coal production. Coal mines in Kentucky produced a record 164.7 million tons. West Virginia ranks second with 130.9 million tons, followed by Wyoming with 130.7 million tons, Pennsylvania with 72.3 million tons, and Illinois with 63.9 million tons. All of these states but Wyoming produce Pennsylvanian bituminous-rank coal that contains the greatest heating (Btu) value. Wyoming produces coal that is mostly of Tertiary age and subbituminous rank. Compliance coal (mostly containing only 0.3-0.5% sulfur and 8,100-8,500 Btu/lb) is shipped from Wyoming's Powder River basin to electricity-generating plants in many of the other coal-producing states.