Reinstating the National Coal Council
Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum recently emphasized the significant impact of the coal industry, whether it’s anthracite or bituminous, on the lives of Americans. They announced the reinstatement of the National Coal Council, which includes a variety of stakeholders from energy companies, utilities, governments, and tribal interests.
The council, chaired by Peabody Energy CEO Jim Grech and Core Natural Resources Chairman Jimmy Bullock, marked its return at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on the White House campus. This comes four years after then-President Biden disbanded the long-standing consortium. Wright remarked on the oddity of the Coal Council being sidelined, attributing it to “ignorance and arrogance.”
Burgum highlighted the coal industry’s crucial role in not only regional economies like North Dakota, where these minerals are extracted, but also in national security and the broader economy. He asserted that no other industry contributes as much or holds such importance for all Americans. He expressed concern over the unprecedented regulatory pressures the industry faces, calling those who ensure a reliable and affordable baseload power supply “heroes.”
Wright echoed the sentiment, pointing to historical precedents where societies that wasted their coal reserves faced dire consequences. He noted that while some areas still rely on wood for energy, Britain’s coal industry surged during the Glorious Revolution in 1707, making up half of the energy sector, while other regions didn’t see such growth until well into the 20th century.
Wright stressed that as AI competition grows, the U.S. coal sector must stabilize and expand rapidly. He mentioned China’s development of 93 gigawatts of coal, with a single gigawatt being enough to power an entire metropolitan area like Denver.
In a response to inquiries from Fox News Digital, Wright indicated that the U.S. requires an additional 50 to 100 gigawatts of coal-fired power to effectively compete in the AI arms race with China. Recently, his office announced a $625 million initiative aimed at revitalizing the U.S. coal industry, which complements an executive order from President Trump to bolster the reliability of America’s energy grid. According to Wright, his administration has managed to preserve over 15 gigawatts of coal-fired electricity through various measures, including reopening councils.
A Department of Energy analysis last July warned that losing more coal-fired power plants would jeopardize the grid’s sustainability and indicated that by 2030, an additional 100 gigawatts of peak supply will be necessary.
