Trump Announces Coal Comeback

President Donald Trump announced a new support package for the American coal industry during a speech on Thursday. The administration plans to allocate approximately $700 million to strengthen the sector.

Trump argued that the United States should not abandon its domestic energy resources while other major economies continue to rely on coal. He pointed in particular to China, which, despite investing heavily in renewable energy, is still bringing new coal-fired power plants online.

According to Trump, the U.S. must maintain its competitive edge by ensuring access to affordable and reliable energy for industry. The White House says this is especially important as artificial intelligence and data centers continue to expand, driving up electricity demand across the country.

The largest share of the funding, $425 million, will be directed to 13 coal-fired power plants. Additional funds will support mining operations, new energy projects, and export infrastructure.

During the speech, Trump once again praised what he called “beautiful, clean coal,” emphasizing that many countries around the world still use the resource as a foundation for economic growth and industrial development.

Critics of the program, however, note that coal's role in the U.S. energy sector has been declining for decades. In 2000, coal accounted for roughly 60% of the country's electricity generation. Today, its share has fallen below 20%, as utilities increasingly turn to cheaper natural gas and renewable energy sources.

Despite this trend, the Trump administration says support for the coal sector will continue. The White House maintains that coal should remain an important part of the nation’s energy mix.