The Department of Energy (DOE) has announced the reinstatement of the National Coal Council (NCC), marking a renewed emphasis on coal’s role in the United States’ energy sector under President Trump’s administration. This move follows the termination of the NCC’s charter by the previous administration in 2021. The reestablishment is part of a broader strategy to modernize and strengthen the American coal industry.
The NCC, now led by Jim Grech of Peabody Energy Corp. as Committee Chair and Jimmy Brock of Core Natural Resources as Vice Chair, held its inaugural meeting on January 15, 2026. The council comprises experts from industry, academia, state and tribal entities, and non-governmental organizations. It is tasked with providing expert guidance on coal technologies and markets.
According to the DOE, these steps are aligned with President Trump’s Executive Orders aimed at reinvigorating the coal industry and ensuring grid reliability. Secretary Wright emphasized DOE’s commitment to supporting coal’s role in providing reliable and affordable energy nationwide.
Recent actions by DOE include announcing a closed loan for a coal-powered fertilizer facility in West Terre Haute, Indiana, and allocating $625 million for expanding America’s coal industry. Additionally, $200 billion in low-cost financing has been made available for upgrading coal infrastructure.
The department also designated coal used in steel production as a critical material and patented technology through its National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) to convert coal ash into valuable materials for various sectors. Partnerships have been formed between DOE national laboratories and private companies to commercialize these conversion technologies.
In 2025, more than 15 gigawatts of coal-powered electricity generation were preserved as several plants reversed closure plans. A DOE report issued on July 7, 2025, found that continued plant closures would threaten grid stability due to increasing reliance on intermittent energy sources like wind and solar alongside rising demand from data centers. The report projects that an additional 100 gigawatts of new peak hour supply will be needed by 2030 but warns that only a fraction will come from reliable sources.
Emergency orders have been issued by DOE and Secretary Wright to prevent unnecessary power outages and keep key coal plants operational across multiple states including Colorado, Indiana, Washington, and Michigan. These actions are intended to address risks identified in recent grid reliability assessments.
“Thanks to President Trump’s leadership, coal plants across the country are reversing plans to shut down,” according to the press release. “In 2025, more than 15 gigawatts of coal-power electricity generation were saved.”
