08. April 2025
Trump Takes Dramatic U-Turn On Climate: President Signs Orders Reviving Coal Industry Amid Global Outrage
President Donald Trump signed four executive orders on Tuesday aimed at reviving the coal industry, which has been in decline for decades. The orders, announced at a White House event attended by miners and energy industry leaders, allow some older coal-fired power plants scheduled for retirement to continue producing electricity.
The move marks a significant shift in Trump’s policy towards the environment, which has long been a priority of his predecessor, Joe Biden. In May last year, Biden brought in new climate rules requiring huge cuts in carbon pollution from coal-fired power plants, seen as “probably terminal” for an industry that until recently provided most of the US’s power.
However, Trump has long promised to boost what he calls “beautiful” coal, and the latest orders are a major step towards achieving this goal. The president described the move as a response to increased US power demand from growth in datacenters, artificial intelligence, and electric cars. He also stated that the orders would “slash unnecessary regulations that targeted the beautiful, clean coal”.
The first order directed all departments and agencies to “end all discriminatory policies against the coal industry”, including ending the leasing moratorium on coal on federal land and accelerating all permitted funding for coal projects. The second imposes a moratorium on the “unscientific and unrealistic policies enacted by the Biden administration” to protect coal power plants currently operating.
The third promotes “grid security and reliability” by ensuring that grid policies are focused on “secure and effective energy production”, as opposed to “woke” policies that “discriminate against secure sources of power like coal and other fossil fuels”. The fourth instructs the justice department to “vigorously pursue and investigate” the “unconstitutional” policies of “radically leftist states” that “discriminate against coal”.
The orders also seek to promote coal and coal technology exports, accelerate development of coal technologies, and accelerate the leasing of federal lands for coal mining. The Trump administration has long emphasized the importance of domestic energy production, and the latest orders are seen as a key part of this effort.
Environmental groups have expressed dismay at the news, saying that Trump is “stuck in the past” and wants to make utility customers “pay more for yesterday’s energy”. Kit Kennedy, managing director of power at the Natural Resources Defense Council, said: “What’s next, a mandate that Americans must commute by horse and buggy?”
The decline of coal has been a long-term trend in the US, driven by increasing competition from natural gas and renewable energy sources such as wind and solar. This year, 93% of the power added to the US grid will be from solar, wind, and batteries, according to forecasts from Trump’s own administration.
However, the industry remains significant, providing over 90% of the country’s electricity in some parts of West Virginia. The coal industry has also become a major employer and economic driver for many communities, particularly in Appalachia.
Despite the challenges facing the industry, energy experts say that any bump for coal under Trump is likely to be temporary, as natural gas remains cheaper and there is a durable market for renewable energy. “Nothing can destroy coal,” Trump told the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, by video link in January. “And we have more coal than anybody.”
The US has become one of the world’s largest producers of renewable energy, with solar and wind power becoming increasingly competitive with fossil fuels. The cost of wind and solar energy has fallen dramatically over the past decade, making them a more attractive option for many businesses and households.
Some Republicans are concerned about the impact on the environment and public health, with Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia stating: “We need to be protecting our air and water, not polluting it.” However, others have praised the orders as a necessary step towards promoting American energy independence and reducing dependence on foreign oil. Representative Andy Barr of Kentucky said: “This is a common-sense approach to energy policy that will help create jobs and reduce our reliance on foreign energy sources.”
The latest orders represent a significant shift in Trump’s policy towards the environment, which has long been a priority for his administration. While environmental groups have expressed dismay at the news, others see the move as an opportunity to promote American energy independence and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
Undermining climate change regulations and promoting domestic energy production are part of a broader effort by the Trump administration. In January last year, the EPA announced actions to weaken or repeal pollution limits, including seeking to overturn the Biden-era plan to reduce the number of coal plants.
Despite these efforts, many experts believe that the tide is turning in favor of renewable energy, with solar and wind power becoming increasingly competitive with fossil fuels. As one analyst put it: “The future of energy is clear: it’s clean, it’s green, and it’s going to be dominated by renewables.”