The Department of Energy (DOE) has announced new steps to support the coal industry in the United States, following directives from President Trump. The agency is focusing on strengthening and modernizing coal’s role in the nation’s energy mix.
On January 15, 2026, the National Coal Council (NCC) held its first meeting since being reestablished by Secretary Wright. The council was previously terminated in 2021 under the Biden administration but was reinstated last summer to provide expert guidance on coal technologies and markets. Jim Grech of Peabody Energy Corp. was named Committee Chair, while Jimmy Brock of Core Natural Resources was appointed Vice Chair. The NCC includes members from industry, academia, state and tribal governments, and non-governmental organizations.
The DOE has taken several actions over the past year to promote coal use. In October 2025, it closed a loan to help finance a coal-powered fertilizer facility in West Terre Haute, Indiana. In September 2025, $625 million was allocated to expand America’s coal industry as part of efforts under Executive Orders aimed at revitalizing clean coal production and strengthening electric grid reliability.
In April 2025, Secretary Wright issued five initiatives focused on expanding and modernizing the coal sector. These included reinstating the NCC and providing $200 billion in low-cost financing for infrastructure upgrades and projects related to coal energy. Additionally, in May 2025, DOE designated coal used for steel production as a critical material.
Research efforts are also underway at DOE’s National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), which has patented technology for extracting valuable minerals from coal ash—a process intended to support sectors like energy and manufacturing. The department is working with national laboratories and private companies to commercialize these technologies.
A July 2025 DOE report highlighted concerns about grid reliability due to plant closures and increased reliance on intermittent energy sources such as wind and solar power alongside growing demand from data centers. According to the report: “The U.S. electric grid will not be able to sustain the loss of coal and other plant closures,” noting that current trends could increase outage risks significantly by 2030.
“Thanks to President Trump’s leadership, coal plants across the country are reversing plans to shut down,” states the release. It adds that more than 15 gigawatts of coal-powered electricity generation were preserved during 2025.
To address potential power shortages, DOE has issued nineteen emergency orders since early 2025 designed to keep key power plants operational across several states including Colorado, Indiana, Washington State, and Michigan.
These measures include specific directives such as: “On December 30, 2025, DOE issued an emergency order directing Tri-State and the co-owners in coordination with Western Area Power Administration (WAPA)-Rocky Mountain Region and Southwest Power Pool (SPP) to ensure Unit 1 (446-MW) at the Craig Station in Craig, Colorado remain operational.” Similar orders were given throughout December for other facilities facing closure or reduced operations.
By extending plant operations through emergency orders—such as those involving CenterPoint Energy or Northern Indiana Public Service Company—the department aims to maintain reliable electricity supply during periods of high demand.
