WHAT IS COAL USED FOR?
Electric power generation consumes the greater part of the annual coal production in Illinois. Coal is also used for home and commercial heating, for production of coke, and for manufacturing various chemical compounds from coal tar. Products derived from coal tar include drugs and medicines, plastics, synthetic fibres, perfumes, flavorings, dyes, synthetic rubbers, explosives, specialized oils, solvents, wood preservatives, tarlike paving and roofing materials, and some gas. The gas is both produced and utilized in the coke industry.