In a striking White House ceremony on Wednesday, former President Donald Trump was ceremoniously declared the "undisputed champion of beautiful clean coal" by a coal industry advocacy group. The event, attended by coal executives, miners, and Republican officials, coincided with Trump signing an executive order mandating the U.S. Department of Defense to secure long-term power purchase agreements with coal plants for military installations and other critical facilities.
A Trophy and Tribute from the Coal Industry
The award was presented by the Washington Coal Club, an organization with financial ties to the coal sector. James Grech, CEO of Peabody Energy, the nation's largest coal company, handed Trump a bronze trophy depicting a coalminer equipped with a headlamp and pick. Grech expressed gratitude on behalf of thousands of coalminers, praising Trump's actions to support the industry. The ceremony featured over a dozen coal executives and miners, along with Republican lawmakers and cabinet members, including EPA administrator Lee Zeldin and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, both known as staunch coal advocates.
Executive Order and Funding Initiatives
Trump's executive order directs the Pentagon to buy billions of dollars' worth of energy from coal plants, a move he highlighted by stating, "We're going to be buying a lot of coal through the military now." He emphasized the administration's efforts to boost energy exports and uplift American miners. Additionally, Trump announced that the Department of Energy would allocate $175 million to six projects aimed at modernizing and extending the lifespan of coal-fired power plants in West Virginia, Ohio, North Carolina, and Kentucky, targeting rural and remote communities.
Broader Context of Coal Industry Revival
This order is part of a series of actions by the Trump administration to revive the U.S. coal industry, which has seen a sharp decline over the past three decades. In September, the White House announced plans to open 13.1 million acres of public land to coal mining and provide $625 million for coal-fired power plants. Despite these efforts, coal remains the most polluting and costly fossil fuel, with U.S. production in 2023 less than half of its 2008 level, and coal plants generating only about 15% of U.S. electricity in 2024, down from roughly 50% in 2000, according to the Energy Information Administration.
A Pattern of Honors and Gifts
The coal industry award adds to a list of honors and gifts Trump has received since the start of his second term. In December, FIFA president Gianni Infantino awarded him the newly created "FIFA peace prize," and in November, Swiss billionaires gifted him a gold Rolex desk clock and a $130,000 engraved gold bar, after which Trump agreed to reduce tariffs on Switzerland. Over the summer, Apple CEO Tim Cook presented Trump with an engraved glass disk statue on a 24-karat gold base, followed by a White House exemption for Apple from a 100% tariff on semiconductors.
This event underscores the ongoing political and economic dynamics surrounding fossil fuels and energy policy in the United States, highlighting the administration's commitment to bolstering traditional energy sectors amid environmental and market challenges.
