Gas surges ahead of coal in US power generation

But king coal won't be dislodged just as yet despite shale bounty and Obama's clean energy climate policies

For the first time ever, gas has usurped coal as the biggest producer of electricity in the US. Analysts say Obama administration's proposed climate change rules are likely to establish gas as the predominant source of electricity as early as 2020.

Figures released by the US government's Energy Information Administration (EIA) show that in April, natural gas produced 31.5% of the country's electricity and coal 30.2%.