White House’s $700 Million Push for Coal Revives Decade-Long Fight in Oakland
The plan uses Cold War-era emergency powers to fund plant upgrades and coal exports as the administration cites national security and AI electricity demand.
- On Thursday, June 4, President Donald Trump invoked the 1950 Defense Production Act to direct $700 million toward coal, funding $425 million in upgrades to 13 power plants and $75 million for the West Gateway coal export terminal in Oakland, California.
- The administration framed the policy as a national security issue to ensure electricity for AI data centers and reduce reliance on other countries, citing emerging energy demands despite critics questioning cost-effectiveness.
- Rich Nolan, CEO of the National Mining Association, said the funding would "strengthen production" of a fuel source that helps insulate consumers from price volatility; $185 million comes from the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
- Patrick Drupp, climate policy director of the Sierra Club, condemned the spending as "disgusting and reprehensible," arguing that expensive coal plants will drive up electricity prices and harm public health across the United States.
- Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon, who recently visited Japan and Taiwan, stated leaders there are "hungry for coal" to support AI efforts, calling the California export terminal "absolutely essential for the lifeblood of our state.
26 Articles
26 Articles
Trump Desperately Pumps Money Into Dying Coal Industry
The coal industry has been in decline for decades. But tell that to president Trump, who’s firmly convinced he’d rather save coal from dying than the Earth’s climate. Extolling the power of “clean, beautiful coal,” Trump announced Thursday that the federal government will heap $700 million towards supporting the coal industry, which will go to existing coal-burning plants as well as fund the construction of two new ones. “We’re into energy that …
AI Boom or Political Play? Trump Channels Defense Funds Into Dying Coal Plants
The Trump administration is set to channel nearly $700 million in federal funds into the U.S. coal industry Thursday, invoking a Korean War-era statute to prop up existing power plants, finance new construction, and push open a California export terminal that has been blocked for nearly two decades. The centerpiece is $425 million distributed under the Defense Production Act to 13 existing coal plants across West Virginia, Kentucky, North Caroli…
White House’s $700 million push for coal revives decade-long fight in Oakland
As part of his push to revive the coal industry, President Donald Trump wants a new export terminal built in Oakland, California, to send American coal around the world. The plan to build the West Gateway Terminal, backed by $75 million in federal funds, is already facing local resistance. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced $700 million for the coal industry on Thursday. The Trump administration invoked the Cold War-era Defense Produ…
Inside Climate News
ecotopical.comTrump Funds Two New Coal Plants and Extends Another Dozen, Citing ‘Energy Dominance’
The DOE on Thursday announced about $700 million in support for the declining coal industry with funds from the Defense Production Act. Environmentalists denounced the move, calling coal dirty and expensive.By Steven RodasThursday’s flurry of coal news from energy officials included $425 million to extend the life of 12 coal plants in several states, such as $50 million from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for the Wheeling Power Company’s pl…
Governor Morrisey discusses future steps for West Virginia after announcement from President Trump
CHARLESTON, WV (WVNS) -- Following President Trump's $700 million energy investment announcement, Governor Patrick Morrisey discussed how it will affect the Mountain State. According to a press release, Governor Morrisey announced that projects in Mount Storm and Moundsville will receive aid through the Defense Production Act after $700 million energy investment announcement from President Trump. [...]
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