The Trump administration is set to announce a series of new actions aimed at boosting the U.S. coal industry, following the signing of an executive order by President Donald Trump on Tuesday afternoon. The executive order is designed to reinvigorate America’s coal sector and promote it as a key energy source in the country.
In a statement, Department of Energy Secretary Chris Wright emphasized the need for affordable, reliable, and secure energy sources, with coal playing a vital role in powering homes and businesses across America. “The American people need more energy, and the Department of Energy is helping meet this demand by increasing the supply of affordable, reliable, and secure energy sources—including coal,” Wright said.
Wright also pointed to the negative impact of previous administrations’ policies, claiming that they stifled the coal industry. “Coal is essential for generating 24/7 electricity, but misguided policies have hindered this critical American industry,” he stated. “Under President Trump’s leadership, we are cutting the red tape and bringing back common sense.”
The executive order signed by Trump on Tuesday aims to reduce regulatory barriers that have previously restricted the coal industry. The order directs the National Energy Dominance Council to designate coal as a “mineral,” lifts the current pause on coal leasing on federal lands, and encourages the use of coal to power artificial intelligence initiatives. Additionally, the order calls for increased coal and coal technology exports.
Trump’s order also instructs the Department of Justice to examine any state or local regulations that are deemed “unconstitutional” and are harming the coal industry. “We will identify every regulation putting coal miners out of business,” Trump said.
In remarks before signing the order, Trump referred to the coal industry as a valuable resource for America, stating, “The value of untapped coal in our country is 100 times greater than the value of all the gold at Fort Knox, and we’re going to unleash it and make America rich and powerful again.”
Trump further praised coal as a dependable and durable energy source. “Pound for pound, coal is the most reliable, durable, secure, and powerful form of energy,” he said. “It’s cheap, incredibly efficient, high density, and it’s almost indestructible. You could drop a bomb on it, and it’s going to be there for you to use the next day, which you can’t say with any other form of energy.”
In line with the executive order, the Departments of Energy, the Interior, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will take steps to support the coal industry, including lifting the federal coal leasing moratorium and removing regulatory burdens on coal mines.
These actions are part of the Trump administration’s broader effort to promote energy dominance and expand the role of coal in the U.S. energy landscape.
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