Natural Resources and Energy

Natural Resources

• Substantial reserves of coal, lignite, limestone, marble, sand, gravel and clay resources.
  
• Approximately ten percent of the nation's surface water resources pass through Alabama.
  
• The state's forest resources support a world-class forest products industry with approximately 21 million acres of commercial timberland, the second largest in the United States. (See the Alabama Forestry Commission)
  
• Soils in Alabama support a diverse and global agribusiness industry, with top national rankings in such commodities as catfish, broilers, peanuts, sweet potatoes, and Irish spring potatoes.
  

Energy

• Alabama is a net exporter of electricity with approximately one third exported out-of-state. The state is supplied by three major utilities (1)Alabama Electric Cooperative, (2)Alabama Power Company, and the (3)Tennessee Valley Authority, plus municipal and cooperative electric authorities in selected areas.
  
• Vast reserves of natural gas in Mobile Bay, coal-bed methane gas in the Warrior Basin and several processing facilities provide a competitive, stable supply of natural gas.
  
• Readily available biomass has provided more than one hundred companies in Alabama energy and cogeneration energy opportunities from renewable resources.