Trump Implements Executive Orders to Boost U.S. Coal Sector
Trump has enacted executive orders aimed at revitalizing the U.S. economy. These actions are part of his broader strategy to stimulate growth and address challenges facing the nation.
TroibNews 
U.S. President Donald Trump took significant steps on Tuesday by signing a set of executive orders to revive the struggling coal industry, which has been a dependable yet environmentally damaging energy source in decline for many years.
Through the four orders, Trump employs his emergency authority to permit certain older coal-fired power plants scheduled for retirement to continue generating electricity to satisfy the growing U.S. power demand attributed to data centers, artificial intelligence, and electric vehicles.
Additionally, Trump has instructed federal agencies to pinpoint coal resources on federal lands, remove obstacles to coal mining, and prioritize coal leasing on U.S. territory.
In a related measure, Trump signed a proclamation that grants coal-fired power plants a two-year exemption from federal regulations requiring reductions of toxic emissions including mercury, arsenic, and benzene.
His administration previously proposed offering power plants and other industrial polluters opportunities for exemptions from regulations established by the Environmental Protection Agency. The agency set up an electronic submission system for regulated firms to request presidential exemptions under the Clean Air Act concerning several Biden-era rules.
Trump has consistently vowed to enhance what he refers to as "beautiful" coal for power generation and various uses, despite the industry's long-term decline.
"I call it beautiful, clean coal. I told my people, never use the word coal unless you put beautiful, clean before it," Trump stated during a White House signing ceremony.
He added, "Pound for pound, coal is the single most reliable, durable, secure and powerful form of energy... It's cheap, incredibly efficient, high density, and it's almost indestructible."
The orders also instruct Interior Secretary Doug Burgum to “acknowledge the end” of an Obama-era moratorium that halted coal leasing on federal lands. They require federal agencies to reverse policies that aimed to decrease reliance on coal and promote exports of coal and coal technology while expediting development of coal technologies.
In response, New York Governor Kathy Hochul and New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, co-chairs of the U.S. Climate Alliance, argued that Trump's orders unlawfully attempt to override state authority concerning climate actions.
Environmental advocates criticized Trump's efforts as a continuation of strategies from his initial term, which failed to revive coal.
"What's next, a mandate that Americans must commute by horse and buggy?" questioned Kit Kennedy, managing director for power at the Natural Resources Defense Council.
"Coal plants are old and dirty, uncompetitive and unreliable," she said, accusing Trump and his administration of being "stuck in the past, trying to make utility customers pay more for yesterday's energy."
Kennedy emphasized the need for the U.S. to focus on building the future power grid and advocated for tax credits and other support for renewable energy sources, including wind and solar power.
Camille Lefevre for TROIB News
Through the four orders, Trump employs his emergency authority to permit certain older coal-fired power plants scheduled for retirement to continue generating electricity to satisfy the growing U.S. power demand attributed to data centers, artificial intelligence, and electric vehicles.
Additionally, Trump has instructed federal agencies to pinpoint coal resources on federal lands, remove obstacles to coal mining, and prioritize coal leasing on U.S. territory.
In a related measure, Trump signed a proclamation that grants coal-fired power plants a two-year exemption from federal regulations requiring reductions of toxic emissions including mercury, arsenic, and benzene.
His administration previously proposed offering power plants and other industrial polluters opportunities for exemptions from regulations established by the Environmental Protection Agency. The agency set up an electronic submission system for regulated firms to request presidential exemptions under the Clean Air Act concerning several Biden-era rules.
Trump has consistently vowed to enhance what he refers to as "beautiful" coal for power generation and various uses, despite the industry's long-term decline.
"I call it beautiful, clean coal. I told my people, never use the word coal unless you put beautiful, clean before it," Trump stated during a White House signing ceremony.
He added, "Pound for pound, coal is the single most reliable, durable, secure and powerful form of energy... It's cheap, incredibly efficient, high density, and it's almost indestructible."
The orders also instruct Interior Secretary Doug Burgum to “acknowledge the end” of an Obama-era moratorium that halted coal leasing on federal lands. They require federal agencies to reverse policies that aimed to decrease reliance on coal and promote exports of coal and coal technology while expediting development of coal technologies.
In response, New York Governor Kathy Hochul and New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, co-chairs of the U.S. Climate Alliance, argued that Trump's orders unlawfully attempt to override state authority concerning climate actions.
Environmental advocates criticized Trump's efforts as a continuation of strategies from his initial term, which failed to revive coal.
"What's next, a mandate that Americans must commute by horse and buggy?" questioned Kit Kennedy, managing director for power at the Natural Resources Defense Council.
"Coal plants are old and dirty, uncompetitive and unreliable," she said, accusing Trump and his administration of being "stuck in the past, trying to make utility customers pay more for yesterday's energy."
Kennedy emphasized the need for the U.S. to focus on building the future power grid and advocated for tax credits and other support for renewable energy sources, including wind and solar power.
Camille Lefevre for TROIB News
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