President Trump on Wednesday issued an executive order directing the Department of Defense to buy electricity from coal-fired power plants. He also announced new funding to restart and upgrade coal plants in several states. AdvertisementHundreds of coal plants have closed in the United States in recent years as inexpensive and cleaner natural gas and renewables became super-abundant. Trump announced the initiatives at a White House event where he also received an “Undisputed Champion of Coal” award from the Washington Coal Club, a pro-coal group. A separate analysis from the consulting firm Grid Strategies found that forcing the continued operation of coal plants slated to retire could cost ratepayers more than $3 billion per year.

Source: Los Angeles Times February 12, 2026 08:47 UTC