Thursday, February 12, 2026-President Donald Trump has issued a sweeping executive order directing the Pentagon to begin purchasing electricity generated by coal-fired power plants as part of a broader push to revive the struggling U.S. coal industry.
The order instructs the Department of Defense to enter long-term power purchase agreements with coal plants to supply electricity for military installations and critical defense facilities, framed as a move to ensure “reliable, uninterrupted” baseload power. The administration also announced roughly $175 million in funding to upgrade and extend the life of several coal plants across key coal-producing states.
Supporters of the policy argue that coal provides dependable energy that underpins national security and grid resilience, especially in extreme weather or crisis scenarios where intermittent renewables might falter. At a White House event, Trump highlighted coal’s role in powering military and industrial needs, calling it essential to America’s energy future and pledging continued backing for miners and coal communities.
Critics, however, have sounded urgent warnings about the economic and environmental costs of the decision. Energy analysts and environmental advocates contend that locking federal contracts into coal power could raise electricity prices, increase pollution, and undermine efforts to transition to cleaner energy sources. The move is expected to draw legal challenges and heighten political debate over the nation’s energy strategy as the shift away from fossil fuels accelerates globally.
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