The short answer to your question is that coal is primarily used to make electricity.  It is burned to boil water, which produces steam.  The steam turns giant turbines (like jet engines).  The turning of the turbines produces electricity.  Around 52% of our nation’s electricity comes from coal.  So, coal is used in most of the states at power plants to make electricity.  See http://www.coaleducation.org/ky_coal_facts/default.htm.

Coal is also used to make coke, which is used in the steel-making process.  Coal provides heat in a lot of buildings, especially here in Kentucky.  The University of Kentucky uses coal for heat.

For other uses of coal go to http://www.coaleducation.org/ky_coal_facts/default.htm and click on “coal markets.”

Two sites that have a lot of educational information about coal are http://www.coaleducation.org and http://www.miningusa.com.