We’ve reported in the past that the Trump admin is taking a very different approach to energy production and regulation compared to the Biden administration, the Obama administration, and the Bush administration. Instead of forcing the United States to rely on new forms of energy production that are expensive and yield unimpressive results so far, (like solar, wind, and thermal energy) the Trump administration wants to get America back to being dominant in the energy production space by trusting the science and doubling down on clean coal production.
That’s right, the age of demonizing coal workers and the coal industry are over with the second Trump administration. It’s a move that many scientists have applauded as making the most sense considering the increasing need for reliable energy throughout the United States. States that have been forcibly removing fossil fuel-backed energy use have seen their energy grids become extremely sensitive and unreliable. California, we’re looking at you.
Now the Trump admin is back at it with more policy and regulation changes that are designed to continue to bring back the coal industry in the United States, and this change proves to create countless jobs and help out the middle class who are in the fossil fuel labor industry.
Trump’s Coal Surge Unleashes Jobs and Energy Independence in Montana
The Department of the Interior (DOI) approved a game-changing plan on Friday to ramp up coal extraction at Montana’s Bull Mountains Mine, a move set to supercharge the local economy and bolster American energy dominance. The decision greenlights Signal Peak Energy, LLC to pull nearly 60 million tons of coal from the mine, fueling both domestic power needs and exports to key allies like Japan and South Korea.
The DOI’s action allows Signal Peak Energy, LLC to extract 22.8 million tons of federal coal and 34.5 million tons of adjacent non-federal coal. This expansion is expected to extend the mine’s operations by nine years, generate $1 billion in profit, and secure jobs for the 250 workers employed at the site.
This is what energy leadership looks like.https://t.co/I6k1F0zOmI
— Secretary Doug Burgum (@SecretaryBurgum) June 6, 2025
“This is what energy leadership looks like,” said Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum. “By unlocking access to coal in America, we are not only fueling jobs here at home, but we are also standing shoulder-to-shoulder with our allies abroad. President Trump’s leadership in declaring a national energy emergency is allowing us to act decisively, cut bureaucratic delays and secure America’s future through energy independence and strategic exports.”
The decision is a lifeline for Montana’s coal industry, which supports blue-collar workers and their families. The mine’s expansion is projected to deliver a massive economic boost, both locally and nationally, by keeping energy costs low and creating opportunities for hardworking Americans. The DOI emphasized that the project will strengthen the nation’s energy security while supporting communities that depend on the coal industry.
Contrast this with the policies of former President Joe Biden, who in May 2024 pushed to block new federal coal mining leases in Montana and Wyoming’s coal-rich regions. Republican Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte slammed Biden’s move as a sop to “far-left activists,” arguing it threatened the livelihoods of miners and the nation’s energy stability.
“Today’s approval of Signal Peak’s latest permit for the Bull Mountain Mine is a long-awaited victory for Montana coal miners,” Gianforte said in a statement to the Daily Caller News Foundation. “In the last four years under Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, we witnessed an all-out war on American energy as they drug their feet and kindized our job-creating coal mines across the country. Without today’s action, our energy security and the jobs of over 250 hardworking miners were at risk.”
President Trump’s commitment to reviving the coal industry is clear. On April 8, he signed an executive order to breathe new life into the sector, followed by swift action to exempt dozens of coal-fired power plants from restrictive Biden-era regulations. These moves are delivering results for workers and consumers alike, ensuring America’s energy grid remains strong and affordable.
“This decision reflects our commitment to balancing economic prosperity, national security, and environmental responsibility,” said Acting Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management Adam Suess. “The Bull Mountains project is proof that we can meet urgent energy needs, work with local communities and uphold strong environmental standards.”
What do you think of the United States creating jobs for fossil fuel industry workers? Will this benefit America in the long run? Let us know what you think in the comments below.