According to AP, President Donald Trump signed a number of executive orders on Tuesday aimed at restarting coal production in the United States in an effort to assist the struggling coal industry. The measures are designed to address the industry’s ongoing decline while meeting the country’s rising energy demands.
The executive orders use Trump’s emergency powers to extend the operation of certain older coal-fired power plants, some of which were slated for retirement.
With the rise of data centers, artificial intelligence, and electric vehicle production, the move aims to guarantee a consistent supply of electricity.
Additionally, Trump gave orders to federal agencies to locate coal reserves on federal lands, lift restrictions on coal mining, and give priority to coal leasing. Additionally, he signed a proclamation granting a two-year exemption to coal-fired plants from federal requirements to reduce emissions of harmful chemicals like mercury, arsenic, and benzene.
During the signing ceremony, Trump reaffirmed his commitment to coal, describing it as a “beautiful, clean” energy source that is reliable and cost-effective.
"I call it clean, beautiful coal. I told my people, never use the word coal unless you put beautiful, clean before it,” Trump said at a White House signing ceremony where he was flanked by coal miners in hard hats. A number of them wore "coal" patches on their work jackets. “Pound for pound, coal is the single most reliable, durable, secure and powerful form of energy,” Trump said. “It’s cheap, incredibly efficient, high density, and it’s almost indestructible.
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Additionally, the orders seek to undo Obama-era policies that had halted new coal leases on federal lands. Trump has called for more coal technology development and export promotion, seeking to boost the industry’s global competitiveness.
He stated on Tuesday, "We're ending Joe Biden's war on beautiful, clean coal once and for all."
“All those plants that have been closed are going to be opened, if they’re modern enough, (or) they’ll be ripped down and brand new ones will be built. And we’re going to put the miners back to work.”
These actions were met with criticism from environmental groups and Democratic officials, who argue that the federal government is overstepping state rights by undermining state-level efforts to address climate change.
Governors Kathy Hochul of New York and Michelle Lujan Grisham of New Mexico, co-chairs of the US Climate Alliance, condemned the move, calling it an illegal attempt to strip states of their authority to regulate energy production.
“The federal government cannot unilaterally strip states’ independent constitutional authority. We are a nation of states — and laws — and we will not be deterred,” the two Democrats said.
“We will keep advancing solutions to the climate crisis that safeguard Americans’ fundamental right to clean air and water (and) grow the clean energy economy.”
Trump’s push for coal has been a consistent theme throughout his presidency.
He has long claimed that coal can help meet the country’s growing energy demands, particularly as industries like artificial intelligence and manufacturing expand.
Experts in the energy industry say that despite these efforts, the coal industry is likely to continue its decline in the long run as natural gas remains a cheaper alternative and renewable energy sources like wind and solar become more affordable.
The industry faces significant challenges as coal's share of US electricity production decreases from over 50% in 2010 to about 16% in 2023. Trump’s actions are seen as a temporary boost to coal, but many experts believe natural gas and renewables will continue to dominate the energy landscape.
However, leaders in the industry have commended the president's initiative.
The National Mining Association's president, Rich Nolan, emphasized the importance of coal's economic opportunities and energy security. Meanwhile, environmentalists like Natural Resources Defense Council member Kit Kennedy argue that coal is out of date and harmful to the environment. Kennedy characterized Trump's actions as an erroneous attempt to resurrect a "dirty" energy source at the expense of more environmentally friendly options.