In a move receiving both praise and vilification from environmental activists and energy experts alike, US President Donald Trump has given an executive order that directs the Pentagon to procure electricity produced via coal. This comes while coal is struggling both because of its cost as well as concerns regarding the environment.
According to an article on Al Jazeera, the order requires the Department of Defense to negotiate long-term contracts with coal-fired plants and to bolster energy assets derived from coal. There are no indications of the financial implications involved in the purchase of exactly how much electricity.
In his remarks to representatives of the coal industry gathered at the White House, Trump highlighted the strategic and economic value of coal, asserting, “Coal-fired plants heat our homes, power our factories, and strengthen the American economy,” and cheering the benefits of “beautiful, clean coal.”
The proposal will also include a $175 million investment by the DOE to upgrade six coal-fired facilities in North Carolina, Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky, and Virginia.
This has been going on for decades due to the reduction in the production of coal in the United States. The amount of coal mined in the U.S. between the years 2008 and 2023 reduced drastically. In 2023, the energy production from coal constituted only 16 percent of the total amount. However, Trump still supports the development of coal energy.
According to new reports, the Energy Department has ordered at least five coal plants to remain operational even past their closure dates, while the Tennessee Valley Authority has extended the life span of two of its plants, which were expected to shut down by 2035.
Experts are also of the view that this measure may exacerbate environmental problems such as air pollution and greenhouse gases, despite its potential to provide temporary succour to the coal industry. They argue that focusing on renewables would be more forward-looking and sustainable for America.
Trump’s latest push has set the nation questioning its economic and environmental obligations. As Donald Trump’s Pentagon works towards carrying out this order, the nation will wait and see how this move secures the future of coal and climate change.
