STRENGTHENING NATIONAL DEFENSE THROUGH COAL POWER: In a move that might raise eyebrows and a few eyebrows, President Donald J. Trump has officially signed an Executive Order instructing the Department of War to prioritize long-term Power Purchase Agreements with the nation’s coal fleet—deemed both beautiful and clean—to ensure that military bases and critical defense facilities enjoy a steady, on-demand source of power.
- The Order mandates the Secretary of War, in collaboration with the Secretary of Energy, to greenlight long-term Power Purchase Agreements or equivalent contracts with coal-fired power plants to supply energy to Department of War installations and other essential facilities.
- Projects that bolster grid reliability, prevent blackouts, secure on-site fuel supplies, and assure mission effectiveness for defense and intelligence operations will receive preferential treatment.
ENSURING GRID RESILIENCE: President Trump is on a mission to fortify the electric grid, championing the role of coal as a linchpin in guaranteeing reliable energy, national security, and economic stability.
- Baseload power and a dependable grid are indispensable for powering military installations, defense production, and overall public safety; any significant disruption poses a threat to operational readiness and national security.
- It is crucial for the Department of War to strategically harness the extensive coal resources available in America, which have a track record of providing consistent, reliable baseload power.
- In contrast, intermittent energy sources like wind and solar are often left out in the cold during extreme weather, leaving our defense installations that depend on them perilously exposed to power outages.
ACHIEVING ENERGY DOMINANCE: President Trump asserts that it is essential for America to maintain its energy dominance and security.
- On the campaign trail, he expressed his concerns, declaring, “you have a grid system in this country that’s obsolete and a disaster,” emphasizing his urgency to take action.
- From Day One, President Trump pronounced a National Energy Emergency, allowing the Administration to leverage all available powers to enhance the integrity of the nation’s electrical grid.
- He is revitalizing America’s so-called beautiful clean coal industry to ensure Americans have access to reliable, affordable energy while supporting thousands of jobs that rely on this sector.
- In April 2025, President Trump enacted a series of Executive Orders designating coal as a mineral, removing barriers to coal mining on federal lands, and granting regulatory relief from burdensome restrictions imposed by the previous administration on specific coal-fired plants.
- These actions have halted the closure of 17 gigawatts of coal power and spurred new investments in affordable, baseload power generation across the nation.
- President Trump is also busy trimming the red tape and rolling back regulations that have historically constrained coal, oil, and natural gas production.
- Last summer, the Administration reinstated the charter for the National Coal Council (NCC)—a Federal Advisory Committee that had been dissolved during the Biden Administration—and convened its inaugural meeting just last month.
