FACT SHEET: The Energy Department is Unleashing Beautiful, Clean Coal

PRESIDENT TRUMP IS UNLEASHING BEAUTIFUL, CLEAN COAL AFTER YEARS OF ATTACK

• President Trump declared a National Energy Emergency, the Trump Administration began reversing the war on American coal by stopping the premature shutdown of coal-fired power plants, and expanding coal infrastructure to improve grid reliability, lower energy costs, and support American coal workers.
• President Trump is the “Undisputed Champion of Beautiful, Clean Coal.”
• On Thursday, June 4, 2026, the Energy Department reaffirmed its commitment to America’s coal mining industry by announcing its intent to save or support an additional 17 coal plants and one export facility.
• With today’s announcements, the Energy Department will have saved or supported 45 coal plants and more than 40 gigawatts (GW) of coal power.
  • Approximately $50 billion in costs to build new power generation have been saved, protecting ratepayers across the United States.
  • The Energy Department’s investments will generate approximately an additional $1.7 billion in private sector investment to revitalize the coal industry. 
  • As a result of the Trump Administration’s actions, at least 42 coal mines will likely remain in operation.

ENERGY DEPARTMENT IS BUILDING, MODERNIZING, AND RESTARTING COAL-FIRED POWER PLANTS    

• As part of the June 4 announcement, the Energy Department announced funding to build, upgrade and modernize coal-powered infrastructure.
  • Four projects will receive up to $350 million through the Energy Department’s “Restoring Reliability: Coal Recommissioning and Modernization” initiative focused on targeted upgrades to increase efficiency, extend plant life, and add reliable capacity to the grid. These selections include:
    • Projects assessing the commissioning of two new coal-powered plants—including a new 1.25 GW coal plant in Anchorage, Alaska and a 1.6 GW coal plant at the West Virginia Energy Campus.
    • Projects to recommission the 205-megawatt (MW) AES Warrior Run Generating Plant in Cumberland, Maryland that was shuttered in 2024 and plans for retrofitting and modernizing AES Puerto Rico, an existing 510 MW coal-fired plant in Guayama, Puerto Rico.
• The Energy Department previously committed $175 million for six previously announced projects to upgrade existing coal facilities.

THE ENERGY DEPARTMENT IS STRENGTHENING AMERICAN ENERGY SECURITY BY SUPPORTING DOMESTIC COAL SUPPLY-CHAINS

• On April 30, 2026, President Trump issued five Presidential Determinations authorizing the Energy Department to deploy funding to strengthen domestic energy production and infrastructure, including coal power generation. 
• On June 4, 2025, the Energy Department announced it will support 13 coal plants and coal export infrastructure with a $500 million investment provided Defense Production Act (DPA) funding.
  • $425 million will support 13 coal plants and save over 14 GW of coal-fired power capacity – enough generation to power more than 14 million American homes.
    • These coal plants will span ten states—including Oklahoma, Arkansas, Arizona, Tennessee, West Virginia, Kentucky, North Carolina, Indiana, Wisconsin, and North Dakota—strengthening reliable coal supply chains across the country.
  • $75 million will support the construction of a critical coal export facility located on the West Coast—the West Gateway Terminal Project.
    • The West Gateway Terminal Project in Oakland, California will expand U.S. coal export capacity and support American mining and port jobs. It will also bolster domestic supply chains of coal, which is critical to national security and will diversify energy supply chains.

THE ENERGY DEPARTMENT’S ACTIONS TO SAVE COAL POWER HAVE SAVED AMERICAN LIVES

• In 2025, the Trump Administration saved more than 17 GW of coal-powered electricity generation by preventing the premature shutdown of coal-fired power plants.
• Since January 2025, Secretary Wright prevented the shutdown of six coal-fired power plants with emergency orders.
  • Many provided critical power generation during extreme weather and likely saved American lives.
• After President Trump assumed office in January 2025 and began reversing the war on American coal, more than 15 coal plants voluntarily reversed plans to prematurely shutdown.