The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced a Notice of Funding Opportunity for up to $100 million in federal funding aimed at refurbishing and modernizing the country’s coal power plants. This initiative is part of a broader effort, following the department’s previous announcement in September about its intention to invest $625 million to expand and revitalize the coal industry in the United States.
U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright commented on the new funding opportunity, stating: “For years, the Biden and Obama administrations relentlessly targeted America’s coal industry and workers, resulting in the closure of reliable power plants and higher electricity costs. Thankfully, President Trump has ended the war on American coal and is restoring common sense energy policies that put Americans first. These projects will help keep America’s coal plants operating and ensure the United States has the reliable and affordable power it needs to keep the lights on and power our future.”
The funding aligns with President Trump’s Executive Orders focused on supporting clean coal initiatives and strengthening the reliability and security of the U.S. electric grid. The DOE said this move advances efforts to restore what it calls U.S. energy dominance.
According to DOE, applications are being sought for projects that focus on three main areas: developing advanced wastewater management systems for cost-effective water recovery; retrofitting systems that allow fuel switching between coal and natural gas while maintaining operational standards; and deploying advanced co-firing systems that enable greater use of both fuels with improved burner designs and control systems.
The National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), overseen by DOE’s Office of Fossil Energy, will manage selected projects under this program. Applications are due by January 7, 2026.
