WASHINGTON, Feb 12 — U.S. President Donald Trump has instructed the Pentagon to purchase electricity from coal-fired power plants, marking his latest push to support the fossil fuel industry despite environmental concerns and rising competition from cheaper alternatives.
In an executive order signed on Wednesday, Trump had directed the Department of Defense to enter long-term agreements with coal plants and to prioritize the “preservation and strategic utilization” of coal-based energy resources. The order did not specify the amount of electricity to be purchased or the financial terms.
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Trump said at a White House event which was attended by coal miners and industry representatives.
Trump also announced $175 million to upgrade six coal plants in North Carolina, Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky, and Virginia.
Coal production in the U.S. has been dropping for decades because natural gas and renewable energy like solar and wind are cheaper. In 2023, the U.S. produced 578 million tonnes of coal, less than half of what it made in 2008. Coal now makes up about 16 percent of U.S. energy, while natural gas is 43 percent and renewables 21 percent.
Earlier policies by Trump included withdrawing from the Paris Climate Accord and declaring an “energy emergency” to prevent the closure of aging coal plants. Since then, the Energy Department has extended the operational life of at least five plants.
Separately, the Tennessee Valley Authority voted on Wednesday to extend the lifespan of two coal plants which were originally scheduled for closure by 2035, following the addition of four Trump-appointed board members last month.