U.S. President Donald Trump has issued an executive order instructing the Department of Defense to secure electricity from coal-fired power plants, aiming to revive the coal industry.
The order was signed during a ceremony at the White House, where Trump appeared alongside miners wearing safety helmets. The executive directive mandates that the Pentagon enter long-term contracts to ensure uninterrupted coal-based energy supply for strategic military installations.
Trump criticized renewable energy sources, particularly wind power, labeling them as “unstable”, while describing coal as “absolutely essential for national security.” Industry representatives at the ceremony praised the president, calling coal “the greatest defender of energy independence.”
Coal currently produces roughly one-third of global electricity, but remains a major contributor to CO₂ emissions and global warming. Since returning to office in January 2025, Trump has taken steps to support the coal sector, including forcing some companies to keep coal plants open that had planned closures.
Historically, U.S. coal production has declined over the past 15 years, replaced by cheaper and cleaner energy sources like natural gas and renewables. By 2023, coal accounted for just over 16% of America’s energy mix, down from around 50% in 2000.
Additionally, the Trump administration plans to revoke key environmental regulations that underpin emissions-reduction policies, a move that could significantly impact future energy sector oversight and the operation of coal-fired power plants.
