February 11, 2026
Trump orders Pentagon to buy coal power in boost to struggling industry
DOE will fund coal plants in four states to keep them online
🏛️Government🛡️National Security
The executive order invokes national defense authority to direct federal agencies to support the coal industry. Trump signed it on Feb. 11, 2026 at a White House ceremony with coal industry executives present.
The Department of Defense must enter into power purchasing agreements with coal plants. These are long-term contracts where DOD agrees to buy electricity at set prices. The agreements guarantee revenue regardless of whether coal can compete in energy markets.
The Department of Energy will provide direct funding to coal plants in West Virginia, Ohio, North Carolina, and Kentucky
The order does not specify total funding amounts
These four states are major coal producers The funding prevents coal plants from closing.
The order approved 70 new coal mine permits allowing companies to open new operations or expand existing ones. The order fast-tracks the permitting process by limiting environmental review requirements.
Peabody Energy CEO Jim Grech presented Trump with a trophy at the signing ceremony
The trophy was labeled Champion of Beautiful Clean Coal
Peabody is the largest private coal company in the world The company has lobbied extensively for coal subsidies.
The order claims coal power is essential for national defense because it provides reliable baseload electricity available 24 hours a day. The order does not explain why natural gas plants or battery storage cannot provide baseload power.
Coal provided 16% of US electricity in 2025, down from 23% in 2020 and 45% in 2010
The decline is driven by economics
Natural gas and renewable energy cost less than coal Most coal plants are closing because they cannot compete, not because of regulations.
🏛️Government🛡️National Security
People, bills, and sources
Donald Trump
President
Jim Grech
CEO of Peabody Energy
Chris Wright
Energy Secretary
Tony Mendoza
Senior Attorney at Sierra Club
Patti Goldman
Senior Attorney at Earthjustice
Andy Barr
Kentucky Congressman
Sam McKown
President of Kentucky Coal Association
What you can do
1
civic action
Contact representative about coal subsidies
The order uses taxpayer money and DOD budgets to subsidize coal companies. Contact your representative about using defense budgets to prop up the coal industry.
2
transparency
Track DOD power purchasing agreements
DOD must publicly disclose power purchase agreements over $7.5 million. Monitor DOD procurement announcements to see which coal plants receive contracts, contract prices versus market rates, and total taxpayer costs.
3
advocacy
Support renewable energy advocacy organizations
Environmental groups like Sierra Club, Earthjustice, and Environmental Defense Fund are filing lawsuits challenging coal subsidies. These organizations track utility costs and advocate for clean energy transitions.
4
civic action
Comment on state utility commission proceedings
Find your state utility commission via NARUC directory. Eleven states approved coal plant extensions for data centers. Public comment periods allow you to oppose rate increases from keeping uneconomic coal plants operating.