Trump Orders Energy Department Investment in Coal Plants Across US
United States President Donald Trump has directed the Pentagon to purchase electricity generated by coal, marking his latest effort to support the struggling fossil fuel industry amid declining competitiveness and ongoing climate change concerns.
In an executive order signed on Wednesday, Trump instructed the Department of Defense to enter into long-term agreements with coal-fired power plants and to prioritize the “preservation and strategic utilization” of coal-based energy assets. The order did not specify the volume of electricity to be purchased or the financial terms of the agreements.
Speaking at a White House event with coal industry executives and miners, Trump praised the industry, saying, “You heat our homes, fuel our factories, and turn natural resources into American riches and dreams.”
Trump also announced that the Department of Energy will invest $175 million to upgrade six coal plants across North Carolina, Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky, and Virginia.
Coal production in the US has been declining for decades, as competition from natural gas and renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, and hydropower has increased. Production fell by more than half between 2008 and 2023, reaching 578 million tonnes, according to the US Energy Information Administration. Coal accounted for roughly 16 percent of US energy production in 2023, compared with 43 percent for natural gas and 21 percent for renewables.
Trump has repeatedly championed what he calls “beautiful, clean coal,” portraying it as essential for boosting domestic manufacturing and advancing US leadership in artificial intelligence, despite the fossil fuel’s falling economic competitiveness and contribution to greenhouse gas emissions.
Since taking office, Trump has described the scientific consensus on climate change as a “con job” and previously declared an “energy emergency” to prevent the closure of aging coal plants. Following his directives, the Energy Department has forced at least five coal plants to extend operations beyond their scheduled retirement dates.
On Wednesday, the Tennessee Valley Authority, the nation’s largest public utility provider, also voted to extend the lifespan of two coal plants previously set to close by 2035. The decision followed the appointment of four Trump-selected members to the TVA board, replacing three members appointed by President Joe Biden.
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