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2w ago

Trump Signs Executive Order Designating Coal as Critical Mineral to Bolster U.S. Energy Strategy

The order lifts federal restrictions on coal mining and leasing, aiming to support AI data centers, steel production, and energy reliability despite environmental concerns.

A pile of processed anthracite coal at Superior Coal Prep Plant, Hegins, Pennsylvania, U.S., July 14, 2020. Picture taken July 14, 2020. REUTERS/Dane Rhys/File photo
President Donald Trump walks from the Oval Office to speak at an event to announce new tariffs in the Rose Garden of the White House, Wednesday, April 2, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
President Donald Trump departs after signing an executive order at an event to announce new tariffs in the Rose Garden of the White House, Wednesday, April 2, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
U.S. President Donald Trump meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (not pictured) in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, U.S., April 7, 2025. REUTERS/Kevin Mohatt/File Photo

Overview

  • President Trump has officially signed an executive order reclassifying coal as a critical mineral, enabling streamlined permitting for mining on federal lands.
  • The order ends the Obama-era moratorium on coal leasing, allowing expanded extraction and export of coal resources.
  • Federal agencies are directed to loosen restrictions on coal-fired power plants, including permitting older plants to remain operational to meet rising energy demands from AI data centers and manufacturing.
  • The new policy aligns with Trump’s broader strategy to reverse previous administrations' environmental regulations and prioritize fossil fuel-based energy production.
  • Critics highlight coal's environmental and market challenges, noting its declining competitiveness against cheaper natural gas and renewables.