US President Donald Trump speaks at a “Champion of Coal” occasion on the White Home in Washington, DC, on Feb. 11, 2026.
Saul Loeb | AFP | Getty Photos
President Donald Trump on Wednesday ordered the Protection Division to buy energy from coal vegetation, his newest effort to revivte an trade that has struggled to compete towards cheaper vitality assets.
Trump signed the govt order at a White Home occasion attended by Peabody Vitality CEO James Grech. The order directs the Pentagon to safe long-term energy buy agreements with coal vegetation for army installations.
“We will be shopping for lots of coal via the army now,” Trump stated. Shares of Peabody rose 4% in prolonged buying and selling.
The president stated he additionally directed the Division of Vitality to situation funds to maintain coal vegetation open in West Virginia, Ohio, North Carolina and Kentucky.
Trump declared coal important to U.S. nationwide and financial safety final April. He issued a number of govt orders on the time that aimed enhance coal manufacturing.
The coal trade has been in state of decline for years because it has struggled to compete towards pure fuel and renewable vitality. About 16% of U.S. electrical energy era got here from burning coal in 2023, down from 51% in 2001, in accordance with the Vitality Data Administration.
