Trump supports coal power plants' continued operation

President Trump is supporting coal power plants in the U.S., which have been declining for years due to environmental rules. Under President Biden, many coal plants were expected to close by 2039 to reduce pollution. However, Trump’s new policies aim to keep existing plants open and even restart some that have been shut down. Chris Hamilton, President of the West Virginia Coal Association, believes this could start a strong revival for coal. About 210 coal-fired plants are still operating in the nation. Following Trump's pledge, over 40 plants that were planned for closure will now remain open. Hamilton mentioned that West Virginia is already working on upgrades for its coal generators, allowing them to produce energy for many more years. The Trump administration is working to lift regulations that were aimed at reducing emissions from coal plants. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has plans to undo rules that could lead to the closure of many coal facilities. This includes a significant emissions reduction goal that was deemed unreachable. Energy officials argue that keeping coal plants operational is essential to maintain the electric grid’s reliability, especially as energy demands in the U.S. are rising. They believe that limiting fossil fuel use could lead to more blackouts. Meanwhile, the Biden administration's push for renewable energy sources, while popular, is seen as not sufficient to cover energy needs as coal is still a major part of the electricity supply. Coal's share in the U.S. energy mix has dropped significantly. It accounted for only 15% of electricity last year, down from nearly 50% in 2008. Despite attempts to revive the industry, competition from cheap natural gas and previous regulations posed challenges. Trump’s support for coal comes as the U.S. faces a competitive global landscape in technology, especially against countries like China and India, which continue to expand their coal power. Environmental groups oppose Trump’s plans, arguing that coal is harmful to health and contributes to climate change. They plan to challenge the rollback of pollution regulations in court. The coal industry has invested significantly in making plants cleaner over the years, but many face uncertainty about the future. The cost of new technology like carbon capture is high, and the industry is seeking to ensure stability to encourage further investments. Activists argue that without strict regulations, health and environmental risks will increase.