President Donald Trump hosted a White House event Wednesday afternoon promoting Clean Beautiful Coal as America’s most reliable and affordable energy source. The gathering took place in the East Room at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. Energy Secretary Chris Wright, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum joined the president on stage. Several governors and members of Congress also received invitations to attend. The event represents the administration’s latest effort to revitalize the domestic coal industry.
Trump signed a new executive order during the ceremony titled Strengthen the United States National Defense with America’s Beautiful Clean Coal Power Generation Fleet. This directive requires the Department of War to purchase electricity directly from coal-fired power plants. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth must now enter into power purchasing agreements with these facilities. The administration argues this move will strengthen the national energy grid. Officials also claim it will enhance national defense readiness through reliable power sources.
The White House announced funding awards for five coal plants during Wednesday’s event. These facilities will receive money to recommission and upgrade their operations. The plants are located in West Virginia, Ohio, North Carolina, and Kentucky. A White House official described this announcement as the first of many. Additional funding announcements for other coal plants will follow soon. This initiative reverses years of declining federal support for coal energy.
White House spokeswoman Taylor Rogers issued a statement praising Clean Beautiful Coal before the event. She emphasized the fuel source’s critical role for American families and businesses. Also, she argued it simultaneously drives down electricity costs across the entire country. Moreover, she credited President Trump’s commonsense approach with unleashing America’s most reliable energy source. She also noted the policy saves thousands of good-paying American jobs. She declared the administration has turned the page on the Biden energy crisis.
The Washington Coal Club bestowed a special honor upon Trump during the ceremony. The organization named the president the Undisputed Champion of Coal. This recognition highlights the administration’s strong alignment with coal industry stakeholders. The industry group represents energy firms, utilities, and governmental interests. Tribal interests also participate in the organization’s membership and activities. The award symbolizes the coal sector’s enthusiastic support for current policies.
This event follows the administration’s January reinstatement of the National Coal Council. President Joe Biden had dissolved this decades-old consortium four years earlier. The council now operates under the leadership of Peabody Energy CEO Jim Grech. Core Natural Resources Chairman Jimmy Brock serves alongside Grech in guiding the council. The administration asserts that no industry affects American lives more than coal. Dozens of stakeholders now participate in advising the government on coal policy.
White House officials presented data showing increased coal production since Trump returned to office. The U.S. Energy Information Administration recorded an additional 12.2 million tons produced. This represents a 5 percent increase during the first two quarters of 2025. Officials also noted new mines have opened across the country. Existing mining operations have expanded their production capacity significantly. Coal plants continue running rather than facing the retirement threats of previous years.
The Department of Energy previously announced $625 million for reinvigorating the coal industry. This funding responds directly to Trump’s executive orders on energy reliability. Another directive specifically seeks to strengthen the security of the American energy grid. Energy Secretary Wright’s office confirmed the administration has saved over 15 gigawatts. This preservation of coal-powered electricity occurred partly through relaunching the National Coal Council. The department views coal as essential for meeting future peak demand requirements.
A July 2025 Department of Energy analysis supported the administration’s position on coal. The study found that losing coal-fired power plants would make grid reliability unsustainable. It also determined America needs 100 gigawatts more peak-hour supply by 2030. These findings bolster the administration’s argument for preserving and expanding coal capacity. Officials point to this analysis as validation of their energy strategy. They argue coal remains indispensable for preventing future electricity shortages.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt previewed the event’s central message earlier this week. She stated the president would discuss how Clean Beautiful Coal keeps the lights on. She also emphasized the fuel source drives down electricity costs nationwide. The administration continues framing coal as both an economic and national security imperative. Wednesday’s ceremony served as a high-profile platform for this messaging campaign. The White House shows no signs of retreating from its pro-coal posture.
