Trump administration plans to restart coal plant with federal support

Former President Trump announced a new initiative aimed at supporting the US coal industry, including federal grants to help restart the Warrior Run coal power plant near Cumberland, Maryland. The Maryland Freedom Caucus has applauded this move, framing it as a reversal of detrimental energy policies that led to higher electricity bills and risks of blackouts in the state. They argue that closing reliable power plants and pursuing ideological climate mandates, such as the EmPOWER program and RGGI, have harmed Marylanders. The Warrior Run plant, retired in 2024, has a capacity of over 200 megawatts. Trump's plan is expected to leverage the Defense Production Act and Department of Energy grants, with an announced investment of $700 million intended to protect 14 coal plants and support 42 coal operations. The Maryland Freedom Caucus advocates for keeping power plants open, ending EmPOWER program fees, and classifying nuclear power as a renewable resource, while also calling for Maryland to roll back the Climate Solutions Now Act and leave the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI).