President Donald Trump signed a series of executive orders on Tuesday aimed at revitalizing the struggling coal industry. Coal, a reliable but environmentally damaging energy source, has been in decline for years as cleaner alternatives like natural gas and renewable energy have become more affordable.
The four orders use emergency authority to allow older coal-fired power plants, scheduled for closure, to continue operating to meet rising U.S. power demands. These demands are driven by the growth of sectors such as data centers, artificial intelligence, and electric vehicles. The orders also direct federal agencies to identify coal resources on public lands, lift barriers to coal mining, and prioritize coal leasing.
In addition, Trump signed a proclamation granting coal-fired power plants a two-year exemption from federal regulations that limit emissions of harmful chemicals such as mercury, arsenic, and benzene.
The Trump administration has previously provided power plants and other industrial polluters with the option to request exemptions from Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rules. Under Trump appointee Lee Zeldin, the EPA set up an electronic mailbox for companies to request presidential exemptions to several Biden-era environmental regulations.
At a White House signing ceremony with coal miners present, Trump defended the coal industry, referring to it as “beautiful, clean coal.” He emphasized its reliability, efficiency, and low cost, calling it “the single most reliable, durable, secure and powerful form of energy.”
The orders also instruct Interior Secretary Doug Burgum to end the Obama-era coal leasing moratorium on federal lands and reverse policies that push the U.S. away from coal production. Furthermore, they aim to promote coal exports and accelerate the development of new coal technologies.
Trump also criticized what he called “overreach” by Democratic-led states to limit energy production as part of efforts to fight climate change. He directed Attorney General Pam Bondi to take action to halt the enforcement of these state laws.
Trump has long advocated for coal as a solution to rising electricity demands, particularly with the growth of manufacturing and data centers for artificial intelligence. He vowed to reverse the closure of coal plants, stating, “We’re ending Joe Biden’s war on beautiful, clean coal once and for all.”
During his first term, Trump directed the Energy Department to take steps to support coal and nuclear power plants, though he ultimately did not approve a plan to prop up these plants by directing grid operators to purchase their electricity. That plan faced opposition from energy industry groups, who argued it would distort markets and raise energy prices.
Decline of Coal in the U.S.
Experts believe that any temporary boost to the coal industry under Trump’s orders will be short-lived. Natural gas is cheaper, and renewable energy sources like wind and solar are growing rapidly, making it unlikely that coal can maintain its role in U.S. energy production in the long term.
Once a dominant source of U.S. electricity, coal’s share of the market has fallen significantly in recent years. In 2023, coal accounted for only 16% of U.S. electricity production, down from 45% in 2010. Natural gas now provides about 43%, with the remainder coming from renewables and nuclear energy.
In the Powder River Basin, a major coal-producing area in Wyoming and Montana, coal’s future is uncertain. The region is home to some of the largest coal mines in the U.S., as well as the Colstrip power plant in Montana, which emits more toxic pollutants than any other U.S. facility. New EPA regulations could force Colstrip to shut down or spend hundreds of millions of dollars to reduce emissions.
Trump has vowed to reverse these EPA rules and has named Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Burgum to lead a new National Energy Dominance Council to focus on boosting U.S. oil, gas, coal, and other traditional energy sources.
Industry Response and Criticism
Coal industry groups praised Trump’s executive orders. Rich Nolan, CEO of the National Mining Association, argued that the previous administration’s energy policies had hurt coal and that Trump’s actions recognize the strategic value of coal and its role in ensuring reliable energy.
However, environmentalists strongly criticized the orders, accusing Trump of trying to revive a dying industry. Kit Kennedy, managing director for power at the Natural Resources Defense Council, dismissed the efforts as outdated. “Coal plants are old and dirty, uncompetitive, and unreliable,” Kennedy said. “The Trump administration is stuck in the past, trying to make utility customers pay more for yesterday’s energy.”
Kennedy called for a focus on building a clean energy grid for the future, advocating for more investment in renewable energy sources like wind and solar.
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