In a move to address increasing electricity demands, particularly driven by the growing power needs of artificial intelligence, US President Donald Trump has signed a series of executive orders aimed at reviving the coal industry. The orders, signed on Tuesday surrounded by coal miners in hard hats, are designed to boost coal mining production and reverse some of the country’s coal policy restrictions.
Trump’s directive seeks to “turbocharge coal mining” by lifting regulatory barriers to extraction and halting the closure of several coal-fired power plants across the nation. “We will end the government bias against coal,” Trump declared, adding that the Department of Justice would take action against any state or local regulations harming the coal industry.
Additionally, Trump highlighted the importance of coal mining for securing vital minerals and rare earths, which are needed for high-tech industries. However, his decision has faced criticism from environmental groups, with Lena Moffitt of Evergreen calling it an attempt to “bail out fossil fuel donors” under the guise of powering AI.
Coal, the most polluting of fossil fuels, has seen a steep decline in production over the past 15 years. In 2023, it accounted for just over 16% of the country’s electricity production, trailing behind renewable energy sources like wind and solar, which made up more than 21%.
This move is part of a broader deregulatory agenda that Trump has championed since returning to office, continuing his skepticism towards climate change policies. The administration has also rolled back several green initiatives introduced by his predecessor, including revisiting a 2024 rule that would have required coal plants to drastically reduce carbon emissions.
