Key Takeaways
- Historic Investment: The Trump administration is injecting $625 million into coal modernization, rural energy projects, and efficiency upgrades to secure America’s industrial base.
- Fueling Growth: Energy Secretary Wright emphasized coal’s role as the “backbone” of steel, cement, and AI innovation—critical to reindustrialization and national competitiveness.
- Cleaner & Reliable: The plan funds pollution-control upgrades, dual-fuel operations, and efficiency improvements, ensuring coal remains a clean, affordable, and reliable energy source.
The Trump administration is putting its money where its mouth is—committing $625 million to revitalize America’s coal industry, secure energy independence, and keep the U.S. competitive in the global race for artificial intelligence.
Energy Secretary Christopher Wright announced the investment on FOX Business’ Mornings with Maria, reminding viewers that the U.S. has “awesome coal reserves” ready to fuel both domestic industry and international markets. “We’re going to export more of that coal, we’re going to use it for American industry, particularly as we reindustrialize, and it’s going to continue to provide 15%-16% of our electricity and enable us to reindustrialize and win the AI race,” Wright said.
The plan breaks down into $350 million to modernize coal plants, $175 million to deliver cheaper energy to rural communities, $50 million to extend plant life through wastewater upgrades, $25 million for dual-fuel capacity, and $25 million to maintain efficiency when running on natural gas.
Wright called coal the “backbone” of American steel and cement production—industries critical to infrastructure and the AI economy. He slammed Democrats for strangling the sector. “Coal just makes the world go round. And they’ve tried to strangle it, particularly the Biden administration, starting with the Obama administration,” he said.
With pollution-control investments included, the administration is making coal not only cleaner but more competitive. Wright summed it up: “Let’s stop wishing it would go away. It’s critical to our country.”
Trump’s message is clear: energy independence and industrial strength go hand in hand—and coal remains central to both.