Encyclopedia Dubuque
"Encyclopedia Dubuque is the online authority for all things Dubuque, written by the people who know the city best.”
Marshall Cohen—researcher and producer, CNN
Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
COAL CRISIS
COAL CRISIS. In terms of the production of energy from domestic sources, from 1885 through 1951, coal was the leading source of energy in the United States. Most urban homes had a coal bin and a coal fired furnace. In 1950, about 19% percent of the coal consumed was for electricity generation. (1)
In March 1950, 80,000 United Mine Workers members digging anthracite coal were working three-day weeks while their contract negotiations were entering their 13th week. Soft coal worker contractions had been occurring sporadically since May.
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Source:
1. "Energy Policy of the United States," Wikipedia. Online: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energy_policy_of_the_United_States