Trump to Sign Executive Orders Aim to Revive U.S. Coal Industry/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Donald Trump is set to sign executive orders Tuesday to revive the declining U.S. coal industry. The orders will extend the life of aging coal plants and lift federal restrictions on coal leasing and mining. Trump cites increased energy demand from AI, EVs, and data centers as justification.
Trump’s Coal Revival Orders: Quick Looks
- Trump expected to sign coal-focused executive orders at 3 p.m. ET
- Orders will keep older coal-fired power plants running longer
- Seeks to meet rising demand from AI, data centers, EVs
- Directs agencies to identify and prioritize coal resources on federal lands
- Reverses Obama-era coal leasing moratorium
- Accelerates coal technology development and export strategies
- Interior Secretary Doug Burgum tasked with implementing changes
- Trump calls coal “indestructible” and key to U.S. energy security
- Energy analysts say market trends still favor gas, renewables
- Environmental groups expected to challenge new coal push
Trump to Sign Executive Orders Aim to Revive U.S. Coal Industry
Deep Look
Trump Set to Revive Coal Industry With Sweeping Executive Orders
President Donald Trump is preparing to sign a series of executive orders Tuesday afternoon that mark a major federal pivot back toward coal — the controversial but once-dominant energy source he has long championed as vital to U.S. energy independence.
Two senior White House officials said the orders, to be signed at 3 p.m. ET, will invoke Trump’s emergency authority to allow aging coal-fired power plants — some scheduled for retirement — to continue operations. The move, they said, is intended to help meet surging energy demand fueled by the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence, data centers, and electric vehicle infrastructure.
The officials spoke anonymously ahead of the official announcement.
Key Measures in the Executive Orders
The anticipated orders direct several immediate actions:
- Preserve Aging Coal Plants: Suspend retirement plans for certain older coal-fired power plants to keep them operational longer.
- Federal Land Leasing: Instruct federal agencies to identify untapped coal reserves and prioritize leasing for coal mining on public lands.
- End Obama-Era Moratorium: Officially terminate a 2016 moratorium on new coal leases on federal land.
- Rescind Climate Transition Policies: Require agencies to roll back internal policies that prioritize transitioning away from coal.
- Promote Exports and Innovation: Encourage global exports of U.S. coal and accelerate development of new coal-burning technologies.
Coal in the Age of AI and EVs
Trump has repeatedly cited America’s need for abundant and stable power sources, pointing to coal’s potential to deliver dependable base-load electricity — particularly as energy demand grows due to the rise of power-intensive technologies.
“Nothing can destroy coal. Not the weather, not a bomb — nothing,” Trump declared during a January address to the World Economic Forum, adding, “And we have more coal than anybody.”
Trump’s push comes as America’s energy landscape shifts dramatically. Demand is increasing, driven by industrial resurgence and expanding digital infrastructure. The orders are seen as part of a broader “energy nationalism” agenda aimed at domestic resource development and reduced reliance on foreign or intermittent energy sources.
Will It Work?
Despite the administration’s renewed support, energy experts are skeptical of coal’s long-term viability. They argue that economic forces continue to favor natural gas and renewables like solar and wind — both of which are becoming cheaper and more scalable than coal.
“The economics just don’t support a coal resurgence,” said energy analyst Jason Bordoff of Columbia University. “Even if these orders provide short-term lift, the market trendlines are going in a different direction.”
Still, coal advocates welcome the move. Industry groups have pushed for relief from federal regulations and investment in coal-friendly infrastructure.
The White House appears to be positioning the coal revival not just as a jobs issue, but as a national security and reliability play in the face of rising energy demands and global instability.
Political and Environmental Fallout
The move is certain to spark backlash from environmental groups, Democrats, and international climate advocates who view expanded coal production as a threat to emissions targets and public health. Litigation against the orders is likely, as are state-level resistance efforts in blue states.
Meanwhile, Trump’s supporters — particularly in coal-producing states like West Virginia and Wyoming — are likely to see the move as a bold step in restoring energy dominance and American industrial pride.
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