Among other things, some older coal-fired power plants that were intended to be retired will now continue to operate. Additionally, Trump signed a presidential order that offers coal-fired power plants a two-year exemption from federal requirements to reduce emissions of toxic chemicals such as mercury, arsenic, and benzene.
He is also urging authorities to prioritize and facilitate coal mining on American soil.
The President has long promised to increase support for the heavily polluting coal industry, which he claims is a "cheap and incredibly efficient" energy source to meet the growing energy demand, but which has been in decline for decades.
The move is being sharply criticized by several climate organizations.
I call it beautiful, clean coal. I told my staff: Never use the word "coal" unless you put "beautiful" and "clean" in front of it, he says while signing the orders at the White House.
All the facilities that were shut down will be reopened if they are modern enough, or they will be torn down and completely new ones will be built.
Coal once accounted for more than half of the US's electricity production and as recently as 2010, the figure was 45 percent, but its share dropped to 16 percent in 2023.
