With the policy he follows in the war in Iran having received strong criticism even within his own party, Donald Trump caused new reactions in the USA, as he announced that he will invest $700 million for the development of the coal industry.
The financing package announced by Donald Trump will be implemented through the invocation of the US Defense Production Act and provides for the support of 13 coal-fired power plants, as well as investments for the upgrade or reopening of facilities in states such as Alaska, West Virginia, California, and Maryland.
A significant part of the $700 million is expected to be allocated to two new coal-fired power plants. The US president stated that the amount will allow 14 power plants and 42 mines to invest and modernize, which 'will extend their lifespan by decades, strengthen the reliability of our electricity grid, and most importantly, keep electricity prices very low.'
It is noted that coal production in the US has halved since 2005, when it peaked, until 2020. It reached a low in 2024 but recorded a sharp rise in 2025, according to the US Energy Information Administration, and has accelerated even more in 2026.
This announcement is the latest step by Trump in his effort to reverse the long-term decline of the US coal industry. According to reports from the Associated Press, the administration had stated in the fall of 2025 that it would open 13 million acres of federal land for coal mining and allocate $625 million for the reopening or modernization of coal-fired power plants.
Trump issued executive orders shortly after returning to power, aimed at revitalizing coal, a reliable but polluting energy source that has been in continuous decline for years due to environmental regulations and competition from cheaper natural gas and renewable energy sources.
According to the White House, the initiative is expected to support or create over 14,000 jobs in sectors such as energy, construction, and transportation, and is part of the government's energy security strategy.
The Trump administration argues that strengthening coal is necessary to meet the growing demand for electricity, which is partly attributed to the development of artificial intelligence and energy-intensive data centers.
US Interior Secretary Doug Burgum expressed satisfaction saying that 'this is the foundation for having affordable, reliable, and secure American energy that will power our country, our electrical grid, our competitiveness in artificial intelligence, and all the industrial production that is returning.'
However, environmental organizations and analysts express strong objections, arguing that this policy strengthens a polluting fuel that is no longer widely used and may increase costs for consumers and emissions.
