Trump launches renewed bid to prop up US coal with Defense Production Act funds

The Trump administration unveiled a new effort to revive coal by allocating $700 million under the Defense Production Act to update 14 existing plants and build new ones in Alaska and West Virginia, paired with private investment. Officials claim it could lower electricity costs, but critics point out coal’s high price relative to wind/solar, ongoing environmental and health concerns, and the risk of stranded assets if renewables and stricter EPA rules continue to dominate the market.