Trump Signs Executive Orders to Revive U.S. Coal Industry Amid Rising Energy Demand

U.S. President Donald Trump signed a series of executive orders Tuesday aimed at reviving the declining coal industry, pledging to restore jobs and energy independence. Standing beside coal miners at the White House, Trump declared his commitment to “bring back an industry that was abandoned,” as he moved to roll back environmental regulations and boost domestic coal production.

The orders invoke the 1950 Defense Production Act to support coal-fired power plants and potentially classify metallurgical coal as a “critical mineral,” which could allow emergency powers to increase production. Trump also directed federal agencies to challenge state-level climate laws that hinder fossil fuel development. The Energy Department, under Secretary Chris Wright, unlocked $200 billion in financing for new coal technologies, while the Interior Department was instructed to prioritize leasing federal lands for coal extraction.

Despite the boost in federal support, the future of coal remains uncertain. The U.S. energy landscape has shifted dramatically, with coal now generating less than 20% of electricity, down from 50% in 2000, due to the rise of cheaper natural gas and renewables. Environmental groups criticized the move, calling coal “dirty, uncompetitive, and unreliable,” and warned that Trump’s push ignores climate goals and the evolution of a modern energy grid.

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