Key takeaways from recent events:

• President Trump signed several executive orders aimed at boosting the coal industry on April 8, 2025.
• The orders seek to roll back regulatory barriers, potentially doubling coal electricity production in the US.
• Experts are skeptical of reviving coal given the decline in its economic viability and the rise of cleaner energy sources.
• Efforts to support coal mining come amid assertions of needing more electricity for emerging technologies like artificial intelligence.

In a significant move, President Donald Trump has signed a series of executive orders intended to revitalize the coal industry in the United States. The orders, signed during a ceremony at the White House on April 8, 2025, aim to lift regulatory barriers to coal extraction and suspend the planned closures of many coal-fired power plants across the nation. Claiming a need to "turbocharge coal mining," Trump emphasized increasing electricity production to meet the demands of rapidly growing sectors, particularly artificial intelligence technologies, stating, "We're going to double up." This push is positioned as a critical response to the competitive landscape shaped by countries like China, which Trump claimed opens two new coal plants weekly.

The executive orders direct the Department of the Interior to expedite coal leases on public land and instruct agencies to explore using coal for new energy sources, including powering data centers for artificial intelligence. However, opposition from environmental groups and energy experts highlights the challenges ahead for coal, which has seen a dramatic decline in use due to competition from cleaner alternatives like natural gas and renewables, now accounting for over 21% of US electricity generation compared to coal's diminishing 16%.

Critics argue that Trump's initiatives merely reinforce a failing industry. "Coal won't return to the heights it once had in America," stated Collin Rees from Oil Change International, underlining the impracticality of rejuvenating this energy source amidst a globally shifting landscape towards sustainability. Moreover, there are concerns regarding the long-term viability of coal-fired power plants, many of which are aging and increasingly expensive to maintain.

Commenting on the executive orders, experts pointed out that while they may slightly extend the operational life of existing coal plants, they are unlikely to lead to new investments or substantial changes in energy consumption patterns. "Why would the U.S. want to invest in a 19th-century fuel source in the 21st century?" asked Ryna Cui, emphasizing that coal is not only financially unfeasible but also poses significant environmental risks.

As Trump seeks to bolster coal usage with deregulations, the overarching sentiment reflects a broader tension in America's energy landscape: the clash between traditional fossil fuels and the imperative for cleaner, renewable energy solutions. In response to the orders, environmental advocates have condemned the move as one that prioritizes the interests of fossil fuel donors over sustainable development, pointing to the already substantial growth of renewable energy in meeting future energy demands.

For more details on this development, see coverage from NY Times, Forbes, and TRT.