President Donald Trump has signed a bold new set of executive orders aimed at reviving the American coal industry, calling for an end to what he described as decades of government hostility toward one of the country’s most vital energy sources.
Speaking from the White House on April 8, Trump declared, “The war on coal is over. We are ending the government bias against this essential American industry.” The move marks a dramatic shift from the previous administration’s climate-focused policies and signals renewed federal support for coal as a cornerstone of U.S. energy independence.
The executive actions direct federal agencies to accelerate leasing for coal mining on federal lands, eliminate bureaucratic delays in permitting, and promote advanced coal technology both domestically and abroad. Most notably, Trump invoked the Defense Production Act—authorizing the use of federal resources to boost coal output in response to rising national energy demands.
Trump emphasized that America’s energy grid must be resilient and diverse, especially as demand surges from energy-intensive technologies like artificial intelligence and data centers. “We can’t rely solely on windmills and wishful thinking,” he said. “Coal is reliable, it’s abundant, and it’s American.”
The orders also include provisions to streamline environmental reviews and reduce red tape that has long hampered coal operations. Additionally, the administration plans to promote U.S. coal exports to allies abroad, ensuring American miners can compete on the world stage.
Critics, particularly from environmental activist groups and globalist energy think tanks, have already voiced opposition, claiming the measures are a step backward. But Trump and his supporters argue that the real step backward was shutting down plants, laying off workers, and hollowing out communities in the name of “green energy” that couldn’t keep the lights on.
Under Trump’s plan, existing coal-fired power plants will be allowed to remain open without threat of forced shutdowns. The administration is also expected to revisit emissions standards and other Obama-era regulations that made it difficult for coal operations to survive.
Industry leaders and working-class communities across coal country welcomed the news. “This is what we’ve been waiting for,” said one West Virginia miner. “Trump hasn’t forgotten us, and he’s proving it again.”
With energy prices rising and global instability threatening supply chains, Trump’s coal initiative is being hailed as a return to common sense. By prioritizing reliable, domestic energy over climate virtue-signaling, the administration is putting American workers—and American power—back at the center of national policy.
As President Trump put it, “We don’t apologize for powering our nation. We embrace it. We lead with it. And we’ll never surrender it again.”
.@POTUS: “Today, we’re taking historic action to help American workers, miners, families and consumers. We’re ending Joe Biden’s war on beautiful, clean coal once and for all… we’re going to put the miners back to work.” pic.twitter.com/XSpoHkT11X
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) April 8, 2025