President Trump on Wednesday directed the Pentagon to buy its electricity through coal-powered plants, making the announcement at a White House event where an industry lobbying group presented him with its inaugural “Undisputed Champion of Coal” award.
Under the initiative, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth must enter into long-term agreements to power military operations with electricity from coal plants. The coal will be purchased with government funding through Pentagon contracts, according to the order signed by Mr. Trump.
“We are going to be buying a lot of coal through the military now and it’s going to be less expensive and actually more effective than what we had been using for many years,” Mr. Trump said at the event. “With the environmental progress that’s been made on coal, it is going to be just as clean.”
Mr. Trump also announced that the Tennessee Valley Authority will delay shuttering two coal-fired power plants in the state, signaling the administration’s support for the coal industry.
Mr. Trump was also awarded the inaugural “Undisputed Champion of Coal” by the Washington Coal Club, a pro-coal lobbying group.
Peabody Energy CEO Jim Grech, chair of the Washington Coal Club, presented Mr. Trump with the award.
“We stand here today representing thousands of coal miners across the country to express our deep gratitude for the actions you’ve taken to support the industry,” Mr. Grech said. “Your leadership and decisive action have sent a powerful message: We have a president who more than any other deeply understands the importance of coal and supporting the future of this nation.”
Mr. Trump has long been an unabashed supporter of coal, dating back to his first term. However, he has heavily focused on it in his second administration, tying the need for coal to compete in the artificial intelligence race against China and as a way to lower Americans’ energy costs, ahead of the midterm elections.
During the event on Wednesday, which was attended by coal miners and industry executives, Mr. Trump touted the measures he’s taken to expand coal mining and consumption. He also criticized the Biden administration, which pushed against coal because of environmental concerns.
“We are bringing our coal mines back to life. Under four years of the Biden administration … not a single permit was approved for a new coal mining project,” Mr. Trump said. “In one year of Trump, we have already approved over 70 permits for very big and very powerful mines that are going to be with us for many years to come.”
• Jeff Mordock can be reached at jmordock@washingtontimes.com.
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