Appalachian Voices statement on White House coal actions

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 12, 2026

CONTACT
Dan Radmacher, Media Specialist, (276) 289-1018, dan@appvoices.org

President Donald Trump ordered a series of actions this week intended to prop up America’s declining coal industry. Trump announced that the Department of Energy will pay electric utilities $175 million for upgrades to aging coal plants in Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio and West Virginia. Trump also ordered the Pentagon to buy more coal-generated power, though did not specify where such power might be purchased. 

Earlier this week, the administration announced its plans to rescind the rule that allows it to regulate greenhouse gases, known as the “endangerment finding.” The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency also extended the deadline for power plants to begin cleaning up inactive coal ash ponds. A broader rollback of rules safeguarding the public from toxic coal ash pollution is expected soon.

Statement by Executive Director Tom Cormons: “The reason the coal industry is in long-term decline is that coal is simply no longer an economic resource for electricity generation compared to cheaper alternatives, particularly renewable resources like wind and solar. The actions announced by the Trump administration highlight that fact. They will do nothing to make coal a more economic resource for electricity, but will transfer millions of tax dollars from hard-working Americans to wealthy corporations that don’t need it.”