FACT SHEET: The Department of Energy Is Ending The War On Beautiful, Clean Coal

The Trump Administration Is Reaffirming Coal’s Role In American Energy Dominance

DOE IS REINVIGORATING AMERICA’S COAL INDUSTRY BY REINSTATING THE NATIONAL COAL COUNCIL

Under President Trump’s leadership, the Department of Energy (DOE) is emphasizing the importance of coal power in achieving American energy dominance by strengthening and modernizing the American coal industry.On January 15, 2026, the NCC held its inaugural meeting. Prior to the meeting, council leadership was appointed as Jim Grech of Peabody Energy Corp. was named as Committee Chair and Jimmy Brock of Core Natural Resources appointed as Vice Chair.The NCC serves as a key advisory body to inform and provide expert guidance on the future of coal technologies and markets and navigating coal’s importance in achieving energy dominance.NCC members consist of experts from industry, academia, state, tribal and non-governmental organizations.

DOE HAS BEEN DELIVERING ON PRESIDENT TRUMP’S PROMISE TO UNLEASH AMERICA’S COAL INDUSTRY

DOE and Secretary Wright are fully committed to strengthening coal’s role in powering the U.S., as it provides around-the-clock reliable, and affordable energy.On October 29, 2025, DOE announced a closed loan to support American-made, and coal-powered fertilizer production to help finance a coal and ammonia fertilizer facility in West Terre Haute Indiana.On September 29, 2025, the Department of Energy (DOE) announced $625 million to expand and reinvigorate America’s coal industry in support of President Trump’s bold direction in EO 14241 to “Reinvigorate America’s Beautiful Clean Coal Industry,” and EO 14262 on “Strengthening the Reliability and Security of the United States Electric Grid.”On April 8, 2025, following the President’s Executive Order, 14241 to “Reinvigorate America’s Beautiful Clean Coal Industry,” Secretary Wright issued five initiatives to expand and modernize the coal industry, and support emerging technologies.

PRESIDENT TRUMP AND SECRETARY WRIGHT HAVE SAVED MORE THAN 15 GW OF COAL-POWERED ELECTRICITY

On July 7, 2025, the Department issued an analysis in a grid reliability report finding that the U.S. electric grid will not be able to sustain the loss of coal and other plant closures, due to an overreliance on intermittent energy sources like wind and solar, and data center growth.The report highlights the current status quo is unsustainable—with projected load growth and retirements increasing the risk of power outages by 100 times in 2030.The report estimates an additional 100 GW of new peak hour supply is needed by 2030.The DOE report assumes 104 GW of announced plant closures by 2030 will be met with 209 GW of new generation; however, only 22 GW of that new generation will be firm, reliable, dispatchable generation that is available 24/7.Thanks to President Trump’s leadership, coal plants across the country are reversing plans to shut down. In 2025,  more than 15 gigawatts of coal-power electricity generation were saved.The Trump Administration and DOE have issued 19 emergency orders to secure the U.S. power grid and prevent unnecessary power outages, including preventing the closure of five reliable coal power plants.On December 30, 2025, DOE issued an emergency order directing Tri-State and the co-owners in coordination with Western Area Power Administration (WAPA)-Rocky Mountain Region and Southwest Power Pool (SPP) to ensure Unit 1 (446-MW) at the Craig Station in Craig, Colorado, remain operational.On December 23, 2025, DOE issued an emergency order for CenterPoint Energy and MISO to take all measures necessary to continue the operation of Unit 2 (103.7 MW) of the F.B. Culley Generating Station in Warrick County, Indiana.On December 23, 2025, DOE issued an emergency order to the Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO) and to MISO to keep two coal-fired units, Units 17 (423.5 MW) and 18 (423.5 MW) at the Schahfer Generating Station in Wheatfield, Indiana available to operate.On December 16, 2025, Secretary Wright and DOE issued an emergency order directing TransAlta to keep Unit 2 (729.9 MW) of the Centralia Generating station in Centralia, Washington available to operate.On May 23rd, August 20, and November 18, Secretary Wright issued an emergency order to the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) to extend the life of the 1,560 MW J.H Campbell coal plant and ensure grid reliability through the summer.