โก๏ธ Trump Orders Pentagon to Prioritize Coal: A Major Shift in US Energy Policy ๐
President Donald Trump has signed a significant new executive order directing the U.S. Department of Defense to enter into long-term agreements to purchase electricity generated by coal. ๐๏ธ๐บ๐ธ This move marks the latest effort by the administration to revitalize the fossil fuel industry and ensure "energy dominance," even as the sector faces stiff competition from natural gas and renewables. ๐ฌ๏ธโ๏ธ
Key Highlights of the Order:
Pentagon Mandate: The military is now directed to prioritize the "preservation and strategic utilization" of coal-based energy assets. ๐ก๏ธ๐งฑ
Infrastructure Investment: The Department of Energy will invest $175 million to upgrade six coal plants across North Carolina, Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky, and Virginia. ๐๏ธ๐ฐ
TVA Extension: Following the appointment of four new board members, the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) has voted to extend the lifespan of two coal plants previously slated for retirement. โณ๐ญ
"Energy Emergency": The administration continues to use emergency powers to prevent the closure of aging facilities, citing the need for baseload power to support manufacturing and AI development. ๐ค๐
While the President championed "beautiful, clean coal" as the backbone of American riches, the move arrives amidst a global trend toward decarbonization. Recent data shows that 99% of U.S. coal facilities are currently more expensive to operate than replacing them with renewable alternatives. ๐๐
As the U.S. doubles down on traditional energy, the world watches to see how this impacts both the domestic economy and international climate commitments. ๐โ๏ธ
#Trump #EnergyPolicy #CoalIndustry #USMilitary #FossilFuels
