Trump announces executive order, DOE funding and TVA action to support coal plants

President Donald J. Trump told coal industry leaders at the White House on Feb. 11 that he will sign an executive order directing federal purchases and support for coal-fired power and said he had directed the Department of Energy to issue funds to specific coal plants.

"In just a moment, I will sign an executive order that directs [the Department of Defense] to work directly with coal plants on the new power purchasing agreements," Trump said, using a verbal phrase later corrected to refer to the Defense Department. He also said, "I'm directing the Department of Energy to issue funds to coal plants in West Virginia, Ohio, North Carolina, and Kentucky to keep them online." The president framed the moves as steps to strengthen grid reliability and support mining communities.

Trump credited coal with keeping lights on during a recent winter storm and cited an increase in coal generation during that event. He also said the Tennessee Valley Authority "is taking action to save 2 major coal plants" (the Cumberland fossil plant and the Kingston fossil plant in Harriman, Tennessee) and said keeping them open would preserve "over 450 jobs." Those claims and the administration's figures were attributed to Trump in his remarks at the event.

The president linked the announcements to broader economic claims — including permit approvals, higher coal production and market milestones — and criticized wind power and prior federal climate policy. The White House event included industry leaders who praised the president's policies and presented him with a commemorative trophy.

What happens next: Trump said he would sign the executive order at the event; the administration and relevant agencies (the Department of Energy and the Department of Defense as the corrected department) will need to publish the executive order text and any funding allocations to verify the scope, timing and legal basis of the actions.