President Donald Trump has wasted no time in his second term, launching a campaign to revitalize America’s coal industry. With a stroke of his pen, he signed an executive order on April 8, aimed at “unleashing” the nation’s energy potential by slashing restrictive regulations that have long stifled coal production. This move is a clear commitment to restoring affordable, reliable energy to American homes and businesses, a cornerstone of Trump’s vision for economic prosperity.
The coal industry, once a backbone of the U.S. economy, has faced relentless pressure from environmental policies under previous administrations. Trump’s decisive action seeks to reverse this decline, exempting nearly 70 coal plants from Biden-era air pollution rules that threatened their viability. This two-year reprieve is more than a temporary fix—it’s a lifeline for an industry that powers roughly 16% of the nation’s electricity and supports 40 states, according to data from America’s Power.
“When utility bills are skyrocketing or blackouts are happening in winter, people are going to want reliable power back,” said Amy Cooke, co-founder and president of Always on Energy Research and director of the Energy and Environmental Policy Center. “The beauty of coal is that it allows for affordable, reliable power, which is absolutely crucial to economic prosperity, and in particular, innovation.” Her words capture the essence of why coal remains indispensable in the face of growing energy demands.
Coal’s reliability is unmatched when it comes to baseload power—the steady, round-the-clock electricity that keeps the grid humming. “I think the number one, most significant threat to humanity is no power,” Cooke emphasized, highlighting coal’s vital role in preventing energy shortages. As America’s appetite for electricity surges, driven by everything from data centers to electric vehicles, the need for dependable energy sources has never been more urgent.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has aligned with Trump’s vision, stating that the recent exemptions will “bolster coal-fired electricity generation, ensuring that our nation’s grid is reliable, that electricity is affordable for the American people, and that EPA is helping to promote our nation’s energy security.” This pragmatic approach contrasts sharply with the restrictive policies of the past, which prioritized ideology over practicality.
Skeptics question whether coal can stage a true comeback, pointing to its declining share of U.S. energy production, which hit a record low in 2023, according to a Rhodium Group study. Yet, coal remains a primary energy source for 15 states, as reported by the U.S. Energy Information Administration in 2021. For these regions, coal isn’t just an energy source—it’s a way of life, supporting jobs and communities that have been battered by years of regulatory overreach.
“We can lead the world in innovation,” Cooke said, citing advancements in natural gas and nuclear power as complementary to coal. “But you have to have coal. It has to be part of the mix.” Her argument is grounded in the reality that no single energy source can meet America’s diverse needs. Coal’s affordability and availability make it a critical piece of the puzzle.
The urgency of Trump’s energy agenda was made clear when he declared a national energy emergency upon returning to the White House. He described “the integrity and expansion of our Nation’s energy infrastructure” as “an immediate and pressing priority for the protection of the United States’ national and economic security.”
“It’s insane that we would shut down any base load power right now, when the demand for power is so high,” Cooke warned, referencing a 2024 report from the North American Electric Reliability Corporation. The report, alongside research from Always on Energy Research, projects rolling blackouts across the U.S. by 2028 if current trends continue. Such a scenario would cripple industries, disrupt households, and undermine America’s global competitiveness.
“We looked at it and predict that there will be periods of blackouts of 24 hours or more,” Cooke added. Her sobering forecast serves as a wake-up call for policymakers who have underestimated the consequences of phasing out reliable energy sources like coal. The Trump administration’s proactive stance aims to avert this looming crisis.
Cooke also made a compelling economic case for coal, noting that “the cheapest power is the power you’ve already paid for.” Keeping existing coal plants operational—and reopening shuttered ones—avoids the massive costs of building new infrastructure from scratch. This approach maximizes efficiency while delivering immediate benefits to consumers struggling with rising utility bills.
“The only people who think coal is bad are those who view it through the lens of carbon emissions only, and that is no way to do energy policy,” Cooke argued. She advocates for a balanced approach that considers affordability, reliability, and security alongside environmental concerns. Trump’s policies embrace this practical mindset, prioritizing the needs of everyday Americans over narrow ideological agendas.
Department of Energy Secretary Chris Wright echoed this sentiment in an April 9 statement: “The American people need more energy, and the Department of Energy is helping to meet this demand by unleashing supply of affordable, reliable, secure energy sources – including coal.” He added, “Coal is essential for generating 24/7 electricity, but misguided policies from previous administrations have stifled this critical American industry. With President Trump’s leadership, we are cutting the red tape and bringing back common sense.”
Trump’s vision extends beyond the grid to the heart of coal country, where miners and their families have endured years of economic hardship. “Miners can wake up today for the first time in a decade and their spouses and families will realize they have a job tomorrow,” said reporter Bob Aaron in a video shared on X. He celebrated Trump’s announcement that “the war on coal is over,” a message that resonates deeply in communities long neglected by Washington elites.
“For years, people would just bemoan this industry and decimate the industry for absolutely no reason,” Trump said during an April 8 press conference. He hailed coal workers as “really well-deserving and great American patriots,” pledging to create new job opportunities through the industry’s expansion. This commitment to blue-collar workers underscores the administration’s focus on restoring dignity to America’s heartland.
“I really anticipate a revival in the coal industry in the United States under Trump,” said David Blackmon, an energy policy expert with 40 years of experience in the oil and gas sector. He noted that Biden-era climate rules made it “near impossible” to build new coal plants, a barrier Trump is swiftly dismantling. By loosening these restrictions, the administration is paving the way for a coal renaissance that could power America’s future.
“The cheapest, the most affordable thing to do is to keep our current infrastructure online,” said André Béliveau, Senior Manager of Energy Policy at the Commonwealth Foundation. “Coal remains one of, if not, the most affordable energy source we have.” Béliveau criticized the push to replace reliable coal with intermittent renewable sources like wind and solar, warning, “You’re forcing retirement of full-time energy sources and trying to replace them with part-time energy sources, and that’s not going to work.” Trump’s policies reject this flawed approach, ensuring that America’s energy strategy is built on a foundation of strength and resilience.
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