Key facts
- The National Coal Council advised the Trump administration to provide financial support for coal plants.
- The council recommended grants, loan guarantees, and power purchase agreements for coal infrastructure.
- It called for the removal of regulatory barriers to new coal plant construction.
- The council urged the EPA to repeal greenhouse gas regulations for coal plants.
- U.S. coal production rose about 3% last year to 528 million tons.
A coal council advising the Trump administration has urged the U.S. Department of Energy to provide financial support, including loan guarantees and grants, for both existing and new coal-fired power plants. The National Coal Council, reinstated by President Donald Trump to bolster the U.S. coal industry, made 19 recommendations at a meeting in Washington.
These recommendations include federal investments in coal infrastructure and power purchase agreements. The council also advocated for the removal of regulatory, financial, and other barriers hindering the construction of new coal plants. Furthermore, it called on the Environmental Protection Agency to finalize the repeal of greenhouse gas regulations for coal facilities and for the Department of the Interior to streamline federal coal leasing.
Last year, U.S. coal production increased by approximately 3% to about 528 million tons, driven by higher power demand and elevated natural gas prices. Coal generated roughly 17% of U.S. electricity in 2025, a slight increase from the prior year. The Department of Energy's loan office, previously known as the Office of Energy Dominance Financing, has historically supported emerging energy businesses like solar, wind, and electric vehicles under Democratic administrations.