Trump Greenlights Coal Energy Revival Amid Backlash

|By Adejumo Adekunle-

– President touts coal as vital for America’s energy needs
– Slams environmental critics as “thugs, lunatics, extremists”
– Defends coal as a “clean” backup for AI-driven power demand

President Donald Trump has officially authorized his administration to ramp up coal energy production, reigniting a contentious debate over America’s power future.

The U.S. currently sources energy from a mix of fossil fuels (38%), natural gas (36%), nuclear (9%), renewables (9%), and coal (9%) as of 2023. Despite America holding the world’s largest coal reserves—22% of global supply—coal use has dwindled in favor of cleaner alternatives.

Announcing his decision on Monday, Trump excoriated opponents of coal, branding them “thugs, lunatics, and environmental extremists.” He underscored coal’s role in sustaining America’s growing electricity needs, particularly for artificial intelligence-driven infrastructure.

During a virtual address at the World Economic Forum in Davos on January 24, 2025, Trump defended coal as a “good, clean” backup energy source. His administration has prioritized fossil fuel expansion since day one, declaring a national energy emergency to fast-track projects and roll back environmental regulations.

However, climate advocates, including the Sierra Club, have condemned the move as a costly step backward. Critics warn that doubling down on coal jeopardizes climate commitments and economic progress, even as China aggressively expands its coal-fired power plants.

“The era of climate radicals crippling our energy independence is over,” Trump declared. “Other nations, especially China, are powering ahead while we lag behind. That stops now.”