Most Americans probably have heard the estimate that the United States has enough coal to meet our energy needs for another 250 years.

But the National Research Council, an arm of the National Academy of Sciences, cannot confirm that. The council has conducted research on coal reserves and has concluded, according to a recent report, that ààthere is enough coal at current rates of consumption to meet anticipated needs through 2030, and probably enough for 100 years. However, it is not possible to confirm the oft-quoted assertion that there is a sufficient supply for the next 250 years.áá

Obviously, that gap of a century and a half is important to Americans. More needs to be known about U.S. coal reserves ­ about their quality and the difficulty of extracting them.

It is especially important for the Mahoning Valley and even us in Trumbull County.