Trump Signs Decrees to Expand U.S. Coal Industry in Energy Policy Shift

The executive orders remove restrictions on coal mining and power plants, citing rising energy demands from AI and technology, while drawing criticism for environmental and factual inaccuracies.

President Trump has signed new executive orders to lift legal barriers on coal mining and halt planned closures of coal power plants in the U.S.
The administration justifies the move by pointing to increased energy demands from AI, cryptocurrency mining, and electric vehicles.
Trump claims the policy will revive coal-related jobs, which have significantly declined over the past decade, and double the nation's energy production.
Environmental groups and experts criticize the move as a regressive step, warning of increased pollution and climate impacts from coal energy.
Trump's assertion of a 'German coal boom' with weekly new power plants has been debunked, as Germany's last new coal plant was completed in 2020.