Trump coal industry AI energy plan includes new executive orders signed Tuesday to revive U.S. coal amid AI power demands. The orders lift restrictions on coal mining, leasing, and exports in what the White House calls a push to fuel the rising energy demand of artificial intelligence (AI) data centers.
Standing alongside coal miners in West Virginia, Trump called the move essential for national energy needs and AI innovation. He praised “beautiful, clean coal,” despite the fuel’s reputation as the dirtiest and most carbon-intensive energy source.
What the Executive Orders Include:
- Resuming coal leasing on public lands
- Preventing the shutdown of aging coal plants
- Directing federal agencies to study how coal can meet AI power demands
The administration argues that AI’s rapid growth—driven by data center expansion—is putting immense pressure on the U.S. grid of energy. According to a recent Goldman Sachs prediction, artificial intelligence will cause the world’s energy consumption to rise by 165% over the next five years.
EPA Reductions and Hazards to Public Health
The presidential orders come as the Environmental Protection Agency, led by new Administrator Lee Zeldin, is drastically reducing environmental protections. The latest cuts target pollution controls on power plants and emissions from oil and gas companies.
Additionally, widespread layoffs at the Department of Health and Human Services last week eliminated several divisions responsible for mining worker safety.
A Move Against Public Opinion and Climate Policy
Public backlash has been swift. Former EPA chief Gina McCarthy slammed the move, saying, “There is no such thing as clean coal.” She emphasized that coal is costly, polluting, and outdated compared to cleaner, cheaper options like solar and wind.
According to recent research from Yale University, 67% of Americans favor a complete switch to sustainable energy by 2050.
- 74% of people support carbon dioxide pollution control.
- With the rise of renewable energy sources like wind and solar, coal’s share of the U.S. electricity output fell from 45% in 2010 to just 16% in 2023.
- The U.S. Energy Information Administration claims that:
- $89 per megawatt-hour for coal power
- Wind onshore: $31
- Solar: $23.
The change calls into doubt the economic rationality and long-term viability of reinvesting in coal, particularly as AI drives up the world’s energy demands.
Source: NBC News
