President Donald Trump is expected to sign an executive order directing officials to classify coal as a mineral to unleash its resources.
Trump previously directed authorities to “facilitate domestic mineral production to the maximum possible extent” in a March 20 order.
“The United States possesses vast mineral resources that can create jobs, fuel prosperity, and significantly reduce our reliance on foreign nations. Transportation, infrastructure, defense capabilities, and the next generation of technology rely upon a secure, predictable, and affordable supply of minerals,” the order read. “The United States was once the world’s largest producer of lucrative minerals, but overbearing Federal regulation has eroded our Nation’s mineral production. Our national and economic security are now acutely threatened by our reliance upon hostile foreign powers’ mineral production.”
The forthcoming executive order is expected to include an evaluation of whether coal-fired electricity could be used to power AI data centers, The New York Times reports.
Following the executive order, several agencies, including the Departments of Energy, Interior, and the Environmental Protection Agency, are expected to announce actions in support of Trump’s direction.
“The American people need more energy, and the Department of Energy is helping to meet this demand by unleashing supply of affordable, reliable, secure energy sources — including coal,” Department of Energy Secretary Chris Wright told Fox News, sharing a statement ahead of the order. “Coal is essential for generating 24/7 electricity generation that powers American homes and businesses, but misguided policies from previous administrations have stifled this critical American industry. With President Trump’s leadership, we are cutting the red tape and bringing back common sense.”
Trump announced in January that the United States needed “reliable, diversified, and affordable supply of energy to drive our Nation’s manufacturing, transportation, agriculture, and defense industries, and to sustain the basics of modern life and military preparedness.”
