by 
Former President Donald Trump is poised to sign an executive order on Tuesday aimed at revitalizing the coal industry, according to a newsmen report. The move seeks to reposition coal as a “critical mineral” and would require some coal-fired power plants—previously scheduled for shutdown—to continue operating.
The order is being framed as a response to increasing electricity demands, particularly from the rapidly expanding data center sector. While the move could temporarily delay the closure of certain coal facilities, experts say it’s unlikely to reverse the long-term decline of coal in the U.S. energy landscape.
Coal, which once generated over half of America’s electricity in 2001, has steadily lost ground. Today, it accounts for roughly 15% of the nation’s power generation. The primary culprits behind coal’s fall from dominance include competitive pricing from natural gas and the accelerated adoption of renewable energy sources such as wind and solar.
Environmental and public health concerns further complicate coal’s future. Coal combustion produces more carbon dioxide per kilowatt-hour than any other fossil fuel and emits pollutants like sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, fine particulate matter, and mercury. These emissions are linked to acid rain, smog, respiratory diseases, neurological disorders, and developmental problems in children due to mercury accumulation in the food chain.
The Trump administration may find more traction in its bid to classify metallurgical coal—a key ingredient in steel production—as a critical mineral. Although newer “green steel” technologies are emerging, most remain costlier than traditional coal-based methods.
Still, the path forward for coal in the power sector remains uncertain. Even if some existing plants are spared from closure, they’ll be competing with ever-cheaper renewable energy sources. Nearly every coal-fired power plant in the U.S. is more expensive to operate than building new wind or solar facilities. In addition, renewables can be deployed more quickly than new fossil fuel infrastructure, making it unlikely that coal will power the next wave of data center growth.
