Focus on the USA | Coal revisited
The Trump administration’s enthusiasm for what it describes as “beautiful” coal is reflected in a number of initiatives emerging from the US Department of Energy
For example, in October, US DOE issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for up to $100 million in federal funding for projects aimed at refurbishing and modernising the USA’s existing coal power plant fleet. It follows the Department’s September announcement of its intent to invest $625 million to expand and reinvigorate America’s coal industry.
US DOE says the October initiative aims to “support practical, high-impact projects that improve efficiency, extend plant lifetimes, and improve performance of coal and natural gas use.”
“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”, said US Energy Secretary Chris Wright. “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 latest effort is described by US DOE as supporting two Trump executive orders, Reinvigorating America’s beautiful clean coal industry and Strengthening the reliability and security of the United States electric grid, and “advances his commitment to restore US energy dominance.”
The October NOFO seeks applications for projects to design, implement, test, and validate three strategic opportunities for refurbishment and retrofit of existing American coal power plants to make them operate more efficiently, reliably, and affordably:
Development, engineering, and implementation of advanced wastewater management systems capable of cost-effective water recovery and other value-added byproducts from wastewater streams. Engineering, design, and implementation of retrofit systems that enable fuel switching between coal and natural gas without compromising critical operational parameters. Deployment, engineering, and implementation of advanced coal/natural gas co-firing systems and system components, including highly fuel- flexible burner designs and advanced control systems, to maximise gas co-firing capacity to provide a low cost retrofit option for coal plants while minimising efficiency penalties. DOE’s National Energy Technology Laboratory, under the purview of DOE’s Office of Fossil Energy, will manage projects selected under the NOFO, says US DOE. The application deadline is 7 January 2026, 5:00 PM ET.
The September announcement earmarked $625 million to “boost energy production and support coal communities nationwide.” “Beautiful, clean coal will be essential to powering America’s reindustrialisation and winning the AI race,” said Chris Wright, announcing the funding plan. “These funds will help keep our nation’s coal plants operating and will be vital to keeping electricity prices low and the lights on without interruption. Coal built the greatest industrial engine the world has ever known, and with President Trump’s leadership, it will help do so again.”
The $625 million was broken down as follows: $350 million for coal recommissioning, and retrofit: for projects to demonstrate readiness to recommission or modernise coal power units and provide near-term electric power reliability and capacity.
$175 million for rural capacity and energy affordability projects: for coal power projects that provide direct benefits of energy affordability, reliability, and resiliency in rural communities.
$50 million to support the development and implementation of advanced wastewater management systems: to demonstrate scalable, cost-effective wastewater management systems that enable coal plants to extend their service life, reduce operational costs, and enhance commercial byproduct recovery.
$25 million for engineering and implementation of dual firing retrofits: to enable coal power plants to seamlessly switch between fuels, achieve full steam capacity, and economic flexibility to extend plant lifespans. $25 million for development and testing of natural gas cofiring systems: to support investments that will maintain boiler efficiency and reliability when utilising 100% natural gas. US DOE had previously made several other announcements and taken initiatives supportive of the US coal industry.
On 8 April 2025 the Energy Department announced a series of actions it was taking to “unleash American coal production” via the Reinvigorating America’s beautiful clean coal industry executive order (14241).
This called for Secretary Wright to take action necessary to “accelerate the development, deployment, and commercialisation of coal technologies.”
The Secretary of Energy and Secretary of Interior were required to determine whether coal used in the production of steel is defined as a “critical mineral,” and if so, take steps to place it on DOE and DOI’s critical minerals lists. The executive order also called to have coal
14 | November/December 2025|
www.modernpowersystems.com
“Beautiful” coal. J.H. Campbell power plant, West Olive, Michigan, USA. Consumers Energy had planned to retire the plant on 31 May, 2025, but President Trump ordered it to keep operating. The president cited an energy emergency, which Michigan officials deny. (Photo by: Jim West/UCG/ Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
designated a “mineral” by the National Energy Dominance Council, which is led by Secretary Burgum and Secretary Wright.
Within 60 days of the order, coal resources and accessibility on federal lands were to be assessed and in addition, coal leasing was to be expedited and barriers lifted that were hampering to coal mining on federal lands. The order also called for support of American coal exports, promotion of opportunities for coal and coal technologies, and the facilitating of international offtake agreements for US coal. Within 60 days of the order, it was also required that locations be identified where coal-fired power can be used to support AI infrastructure and data centres. On 23 May, Secretary of Energy Chris Wright did indeed announce the designation of metallurgical coal as a critical mineral, in accordance with executive order 14241.
Campbell plant
Also on 23 May, and on 20 August, Secretary Wright issued what were described as “emergency orders to minimise the risk of blackouts and address critical grid security issues” in the Midwestern region of the United States. In particular, the orders directed the Midcontinent Independent System Operator, Inc. (MISO) and Consumers Energy Company (the principal
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