Trump’s Big Coal Move Is A Giant Backhand to ‘America Last’ Democrats

“It’s been the largest source of global electricity for 125 years in a row and will be for decades to come in the United States. It remains a critical source of our electricity. Also, a critical source for our industry. We can’t produce steel and cement and other materials without coal,” he said.

Thursday’s actions were not an isolated incident. In February, Trump signed an executive order instructing the Pentagon to seek long-term supply contracts with coal-fired power plants. Additionally, the Interior Department has increased coal leasing on federal lands.

And the Department of Energy (DOE) has allowed aging plants to continue operating through emergency orders rather than permitting their closure. The administration is systematically building a wall around the coal industry, one directive at a time.