President Donald Trump intends to announce today that he will tap Cold War-era emergency powers to steer almost $700 million to the American coal industry, according to a White House official and an industry source.
The administration plans to invoke the Defense Production Act - a 1950 statute that gives presidents expansive authority over industries deemed critical to national security - to allocate the funds. The package is structured to finance a range of coal-related projects, including upgrades at more than a dozen coal-fired power plants, financial backing for two new coal plants and assistance for construction of a coal export terminal on the U.S. West Coast.
Officials say the measures are intended to support the coal sector's ability to ship fuel to markets in Asia while also enabling U.S. power companies to burn coal domestically. The move is being presented by the administration as tied to national security objectives.
The White House public schedule lists a 3 p.m. ET announcement on a topic described as "Beautiful, Clean Coal."
Senior administration messaging has framed broader energy policy as a national security matter. The stated goals include ensuring reliable electricity supply for artificial intelligence data centers and reducing reliance on energy sources from other countries.
Summary of the proposal:
- Use of the Defense Production Act to allocate nearly $700 million to coal-related projects.
- Funds targeted at plant upgrades at more than a dozen coal-fired facilities.
- Financial support planned for two new coal plants and a West Coast export terminal to facilitate shipments to Asia.
- Administration frames the initiative as advancing national security by protecting electricity supply for AI data centers and lowering foreign energy dependence.
Attribution for the reporting is to a White House official and an industry source who provided details about the planned announcement and the intended uses for the funds.