Trump Announces $700M Federal Investment in Coal Power Infrastructure
Trump invokes Defense Production Act to invest $700 million in coal plants and mining operations across multiple states, promising to save thousands of jobs.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Donald Trump announced Thursday a $700 million federal investment to build and refurbish coal power infrastructure nationwide, invoking the Defense Production Act to bolster what he called “clean, beautiful coal” energy production.
Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump said the initiative will save 13 existing power plants and construct two new facilities. The president projected the investment would preserve 14,000 coal jobs and reduce energy costs for consumers.
“It’s real power,” Trump said during the announcement. “In terms of power, there’s really nothing like it. We have so many different alternatives. You talk about some, there’s no real alternative.”
New Plants and Facility Upgrades
The administration will construct new coal plants in Alaska and West Virginia, while restarting a defunct facility in Maryland. These projects will receive $200 million in Department of Energy grants, according to the White House.
$425 million in Defense Production Act funding will support existing coal plants across ten states: West Virginia, Kentucky, North Carolina, Indiana, Tennessee, Arkansas, Arizona, Oklahoma, North Dakota, and Wisconsin.
Coal mining operations in Pennsylvania, Kentucky, West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wyoming, North Dakota, and New Mexico will also benefit from the federal investment.
Export Terminal and Energy Policy
The administration allocated $75 million through the Defense Production Act to help open a long-delayed coal export terminal in Oakland, California. White House officials said the announcement builds on 18 months of efforts to preserve dozens of coal production facilities nationwide.
Trump criticized renewable energy subsidies championed by Democrats, including former President Joe Biden, positioning coal as the nation’s most important energy source. The president characterized wind power subsidies as misguided compared to coal investments.
Energy Secretary Chris Wright, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin attended the Oval Office announcement, standing behind Trump during his remarks.
Economic Impact and Energy Costs
While Trump projected the coal investments would lower energy costs, administration officials acknowledged the spending will not reduce gasoline or diesel fuel prices. Fuel costs have increased significantly since Trump initiated military action with Iran in February.
The president used the Cold War-era Defense Production Act, which grants presidential authority over domestic industry during national emergencies, to justify the coal infrastructure investments. The legislation has been employed by previous administrations to address supply chain disruptions and strategic resource needs.
Trump’s announcement represents a shift toward fossil fuel production, contrasting sharply with the renewable energy policies pursued by the previous Biden administration. The investment aims to strengthen domestic coal production capacity while supporting communities dependent on coal mining and power generation jobs.
