This document provides an overview of coal and natural gas as energy options for the future. It summarizes data on global coal reserves, current and projected coal consumption trends, and improving productivity in coal mining. The document also discusses environmental concerns related to coal such as emissions and impacts of mining. It covers regulatory requirements facing the coal industry and status of technologies to control emissions and sequester carbon. The overall perspective presented is that coal will continue to play a major role in meeting global energy demand but significant challenges around environmental and climate impacts must be addressed.