US President Donald Trump has signed executive orders to increase coal production in the US, a move that defies international efforts to reduce carbon emissions.
The orders are part of Trump’s broader agenda to revitalise the coal industry and increase energy output.
Coal’s share of US electricity generation has fallen from 50% in 2000 to less than 20% due to the rise of natural gas and renewable energy sources, reported Reuters.
Trump said at the White House: “We are bringing back an industry that was abandoned,” signalling his intent to revive coal mining jobs, which have decreased over the past decade.
Since taking office on 20 January, Trump has been dismantling energy and environmental regulations to fulfil his campaign promises.
The resurgence in coal production is also driven by rising US electricity demand from data centres, electric vehicles and cryptocurrencies.
The executive orders include measures to prevent the retirement of coal plants, using the 1950 Defense Production Act to bolster production.
Energy Secretary Chris Wright has been directed to consider classifying metallurgical coal as a “critical mineral”, potentially invoking emergency powers to increase production.
Following the orders, Wright’s department made $200bn available for loans, including for new coal technologies, according to the report.
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum has been instructed to end the moratorium on new coal leasing on federal lands and to process applications for royalty rate reductions from federal coal lessees as swiftly as allowed by the relevant legislation.
Despite these efforts, the demand for increased US coal output remains uncertain, with many coal-burning plants closing due to cheaper alternatives and regulatory concerns, the report stated.
Coal plant supporters argue that deregulation can improve grid contribution, but previous attempts by Trump’s administration to subsidise coal plants were rejected by federal regulators in 2018.
National Mining Association President and CEO Rich Nolan expressed optimism about the new strategy, highlighting the strategic value of US coal.
In contrast, environmental groups including the Natural Resources Defense Council, criticised the plan, emphasising the inefficiency and pollution associated with coal plants. Coal is the most carbon-intensive fossil fuel and is linked to serious health issues.
In March 2025, the US Department of the Interior approved a federal mining plan modification for the Spring Creek coal mine in Big Horn County, Montana.
