Coal represents 90 percent of the Nation's fossil fuel reserves. Yet, it currently supplies only 18 percent of energy needs. This report summarizes available knowledge on U. S. coal development and seeks to identify under these chapter headings policy issues that must be considered: How much do we need? How much do we have? How do we get it? How can we get it to where we need it? How can we make it usable? How can we solve the social problems? What is the U. S. position in the world coal market? Where do we go from here? Originally published in 1977 by the United States General Accounting Office, the situation is almost unchanged today, and coal is more relevant than ever considering the political implications of United States dependency on foreign oil.