The US Department of Energy reports that following President Trump’s Executive Order to revitalize the US coal industry, Energy Secretary Chris Wright announced several initiatives to boost coal production and strengthen energy security. These actions include reinstating the National Coal Council to advise on coal technologies, facilitating new investments in coal-powered electricity generation, and designating steelmaking coal as a critical mineral. The Department of Energy is also advancing technologies to extract critical minerals from coal ash and commercializing coal ash conversion technologies to reduce US reliance on foreign sources. These measures aim to modernize coal technologies, enhance domestic mineral production, and strengthen the US energy and industrial sectors. They write:
“The American people need more energy, and the Department of Energy is helping to meet this demand by unleashing supply of affordable, reliable, secure energy sources– including coal,” Secretary Wright said. “Coal is essential for generating 24/7 electricity generation that powers American homes and businesses, but misguided policies from previous administrations have stifled this critical American industry. With President Trump’s leadership, we are cutting the red tape and bringing back common sense.”
The announcement includes five key initiatives to strengthen coal innovation and critical mineral independence:
Reinstatement of the National Coal Council
DOE is reinstating the National Coal Council as a federal advisory committee that was established in 1984 and lapsed during the Biden administration. The Council is a 50-member body appointed by the Secretary, that provides expert guidance on the future of coal technologies and markets. Members on the newly restated council will represent coal producers, users, equipment suppliers, state and local officials, and other stakeholders across the coal value chain.
Facilitating New Investment in Coal-Powered Electricity Generation
DOE’s Loan Program Office’s Energy Infrastructure Reinvestment (EIR) Program is making $200 billion in low-cost, long-term financing available to invest in energy infrastructure, including coal. The EIR program can support a wide range of projects available for coal energy investments, including upgrading energy infrastructure to restart operations or operate more efficiently or at a higher output, replacing retired energy infrastructure with new energy infrastructure and building new facilities that utilize legacy energy infrastructure.
Designation of Steelmaking Coal as a Critical Material and Mineral
In coordination with the Department of the Interior, DOE is recommending the designation of coal used in steelmaking as both a critical material and a critical mineral in the upcoming 2025 Critical Materials Assessment. This strategic designation will help ensure the U.S. maintains a stable supply of steelmaking coal in the decades to come and underscores the vital role of steelmaking coal in bolstering national security and economic stability.
Deployment of Mineral Extraction Technology from Coal Ash
DOE’s National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) has patented new technology to extract critical minerals from coal ash. This development supports ongoing work to convert coal byproducts into high-value materials needed for use in energy, defense, and manufacturing.
Commercialization of Coal Ash Conversion Technologies
The Department of Energy is supporting commercialization efforts through partnerships with DOE’s National Laboratories and emerging companies. These projects are advancing the recovery of critical minerals from coal ash and building a domestic supply chain for critical materials currently dominated by foreign adversaries and will reduce U.S. reliance on China for key materials.
The Energy Department is committed to restoring American energy dominance and strengthening America’s industrial base. Secretary Wright will continue to work with all members of the National Energy Dominance Council to eliminate unnecessary regulatory burdens on coal and unleash American energy.
Read more here.
