Coal-Related Actions Expected from Trump
WASHINGTON—President Donald Trump is set to reveal three significant coal-related initiatives on Thursday.
A White House official confirmed that the announcement is anticipated, as previously reported by Bloomberg.
One key aspect of Trump’s plan involves allocating $425 million from the Defense Production Act (DPA) to support 13 coal-fired power plants located in states including Arizona, Arkansas, Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Tennessee, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. This funding will also benefit coal mines in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Wyoming.
The official explained that this financing aims to prolong the operational lifespan of coal power plants through various upgrades, enhance grid reliability, and help keep electricity prices stable even when demand fluctuates.
The president will convey that an additional $75 million from the DPA is earmarked for the establishment of a coal export terminal in Oakland, California.
The West Gateway Terminal is anticipated to begin construction soon, with completion targeted for summer 2028. It will operate continuously, projecting an export capacity of over 12 million tonnes of coal annually, generating around $1 billion once it becomes operational.
This project is expected to create 1,400 direct jobs in the western states while supporting thousands more indirectly.
Additionally, the president will announce $200 million in grants aimed at constructing two coal-fired power plants in Alaska and West Virginia, along with reopening a closed plant in Maryland, with the expectation that private companies will match this funding. This initiative is projected to safeguard 12,500 jobs related to coal.
Overall, these three actions are predicted to create or support approximately 14,000 jobs across various sectors, including coal, construction, shipping, and rail. Furthermore, it’s estimated that consumers could save $50 billion in costs for new energy generation. With these initiatives, the president will have aided or bailed out a total of 102 coal-fired power plants throughout his administration.
The announcement is scheduled for 3 p.m. ET, where the president will address the White House press pool, accompanied by Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, Energy Secretary Chris Wright, and Environmental Protection Agency Secretary Lee Zeldin in the Oval Office.
