Washington, D.C. — President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing the Pentagon to purchase electricity generated from coal-fired power plants, marking one of the administration’s most aggressive steps to bolster the declining coal industry.
The order instructs the Department of Defense to enter into direct power-purchasing agreements with coal plants, citing grid reliability and national security concerns. “We’re going to be buying a lot of coal through the military now,” Trump said during a White House signing ceremony.
The move comes alongside a Department of Energy announcement allocating $175 million to extend the life of coal plants in West Virginia, Ohio, North Carolina and Kentucky. The Tennessee Valley Authority also voted to continue operating two coal plants previously slated for retirement.
Coal currently supplies about 16% of U.S. electricity, down sharply from its historical dominance. Federal energy data show coal generation has steadily declined over the past decade, even as overall electricity demand is projected to rise.
Environmental groups and clean energy advocates criticized the plan, arguing coal remains one of the highest-cost and most carbon-intensive energy sources. Supporters say using military procurement authority strengthens grid resilience and supports domestic energy production.
It remains unclear how quickly the Pentagon will implement the order or how large the coal purchases will be.
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