Today in Energy More Today in Energy
Posted May 20, 2026Coal remains competitive for power generation in the central United States ›
Note: The specifics of the calculation methodology are detailed in our 2017 Today in Energy article, with minor adjustments to heat rates and heat contents used. The heat rate used for the dark spread was 10,579 British thermal units per kilowatthour (Btu/kWh) while the heat rate for the spark spread was 8,365 Btu/kWh.
In the first four months of 2026, electricity, natural gas, and coal prices suggested continued favorable economics for coal generation in MISO. The dark spread of coal, the difference between the fuel costs for coal-fired generation and the wholesale electricity price, in the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) region outpaced a similar measure of revenue relative to fuel costs for natural gas-fired generators known as the spark spread.
More ›Previously in Today in Energy
What's New
- Wholesale Electricity Market Data
- May 14, 2026
- Global Energy Security Data
- May 13, 2026
- Short-Term Energy Outlook
- May 12, 2026
- More
-
Coming Up
- Underground Natural Gas Working Storage Capacity
- Domestic Uranium Production Report
- Refinery Capacity Report
- More
Top Picks
Data, Analysis, & Projections
Natural Gas
Exploration and reserves, storage, imports and exports, production, prices, sales.
Electricity
Sales, revenue and prices, power plants, fuel use, stocks, generation, trade, demand & emissions.
Nuclear & Uranium
Uranium fuel, nuclear reactors, generation, spent fuel.
Consumption & Efficiency
Energy use in homes, commercial buildings, manufacturing, and transportation.
Analysis & Projections
Monthly and yearly energy forecasts, analysis of energy topics, financial analysis, congressional reports.
Petroleum & Other Liquids
Crude oil, gasoline, heating oil, diesel, propane, and other liquids including biofuels and natural gas liquids.
Coal
Reserves, production, prices, employment and productivity, distribution, stocks, imports and exports.
Renewable & Alternative Fuels
Includes hydropower, solar, wind, geothermal, biomass and ethanol.
Total Energy
Comprehensive data summaries, comparisons, analysis, and projections integrated across all energy sources.
