Trump uses Defense Production Act to fund coal plants with $700m
9 reported
President Donald Trump announced Thursday he is using the Defense Production Act, a Cold War-era statute, to provide $700 million in grants to coal-fired power plants across the United States. Trump stated the funds will protect 14 existing coal plants and 42 coal mines, build two new coal plants, and construct one new coal export terminal. The new export terminal will be located in Oakland, California, and an existing facility in Maryland will be restarted. The funds will also keep plants online in 10 states that voted for Trump: West Virginia, Kentucky, North Carolina, Indiana, Tennessee, Arkansas, Arizona, Oklahoma, North Dakota, and Wisconsin. The two new coal plants will be built in Alaska and West Virginia. Environmental groups criticized the move, with the Sierra Club calling it a “handout” that will make Americans sicker and drive up electricity prices.
What’s reported
Trump is using the Defense Production Act to provide $700 million in grants to coal-fired power plants.
The funds will protect 14 coal plants and 42 coal mines, build two new coal plants, and construct one new coal export terminal.
The new export terminal will be in Oakland, California; an existing facility in Maryland will be restarted.
Plants will stay online in 10 states: West Virginia, Kentucky, North Carolina, Indiana, Tennessee, Arkansas, Arizona, Oklahoma, North Dakota, and Wisconsin.
Two new coal plants will be built in Alaska and West Virginia.
Trump said the 10 states all voted for him.
Environmental groups criticized the aid; the Sierra Club’s Patrick Drupp called it “disgusting and reprehensible.”
The coal industry, including the National Mining Association, applauded the order, arguing it will help meet electricity demand from the AI sector.
The Environmental Protection Agency announced plans to change an Obama-era emissions reduction plan that would have shuttered a Wyoming power plant.
Key figures
Donald Trump, President of the United States
Patrick Drupp, climate policy director of the Sierra Club
Kit Kennedy, senior climate campaigner at the Natural Resources Defense Council
Rich Nolan, chief executive of the National Mining Association
Sources: The Guardian
