 
|
Signature Sponsor
June 5, 2026 - Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon joined President Donald Trump in the Oval Office on Thursday as the president announced a $700 million investment intended to support the nation’s “clean, beautiful coal” industry.
Standing with other elected and appointed officials from across the country, Gordon spoke about what this means for Wyoming and the West.
The announcement, which includes the official invocation of the Defense Production Act (DPA), is designed to support 14 coal plants and 42 mines while supporting an estimated 14,000 jobs across the country.
Some critics, however, say the move is a waste of taxpayer funds and a step toward the past.
National Impact
The cornerstone of the announcement is a $425 million allocation of DPA funds to support 13 coal plants across 10 states, not including Wyoming.
However, the supplying coal mines in the program are located across nine states, including Wyoming.
Trump framed this action as a direct response to what he described as the “degressive” energy policies of the past.
“Today, we’re taking historic action to bring down the price of energy and the cost of living for all Americans with the power of clean, beautiful coal,” the president said. He said that these actions would save the American people an estimated $50 billion in electricity costs.
The administration is also moving forward with building the first new coal plants in the United States since 2013, with locations planned for Alaska and West Virginia, as part of a $200 million investment of Department of Energy grant funding. The funding also supports the restart of a dormant facility in Maryland.
“No coal, no modern world,” said Energy Secretary Chris Wright. “Stated another way, without clean, beautiful coal, the modern world is impossible.”
Wright noted that during extreme winter weather earlier this year, coal-fired power plants stepped up to produce 25% more electricity than normal, potentially saving hundreds of lives from grid failure.
Wyoming Impact
While the scope of the announcement was national, the implications for Wyoming, the nation’s leading coal producer at around 41.2% of the national supply, were at the forefront of the discussion. Gordon was present in the White House for the event to discuss how the administration’s shift in policy impacts the Cowboy State.
“Wyoming produces the cleanest, most beautiful coal, low-sulfur coal,” Gordon told Trump. He added that the state’s education system is deeply tied to the industry, noting that “a kid who grows up in Wyoming, their education is paid for, in large part, by the coal severance taxes by the royalties that come from mining that coal.”
Another significant action for Wyoming was the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposal to revise a federal implementation plan that would have forced the closure of the Dave Johnston Unit 3 power plant near Glenrock by 2027.
EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said that the plant is essential for delivering reliable energy and that the previous mandates were unnecessary for meeting air quality standards. Gordon noted that keeping this unit online is a “positive step for Wyoming workers, Wyoming families and everyone who depends on reliable power.”
U.S. Sen. Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo., echoed this sentiment in a statement, praising the president’s “150 percent” commitment to energy workers.
“Directing over $700 million toward coal-fired electricity and export infrastructure is exactly the leadership our nation needs,” Lummis wrote.
She said that the modern demands of artificial intelligence (AI) and industry require reliable electricity that coal can provide at scale. U.S. Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., added in a statement that it is time to “unleash Wyoming’s coal industry” and that the announcements are a “crucial step down that path.”
Impact on the West
The announcement also involves a $75 million DPA investment in the delayed West Gateway coal export terminal in Oakland, California. This project, which has been stalled for nearly a decade, is expected to break ground this summer and be operational by 2028. Once completed, it will ship more than 12 million tons of American coal annually to international allies, according to the White House.
Gordon linked this infrastructure directly to his recent trade missions to Japan and Taiwan, countries that are seeking energy sources.
“Both countries ... realize that they need reliable, dispatchable, secure sources of energy, but they can’t get it as clean as they can from the Powder River Basin,” Gordon said.
The Oakland port was positioned as a lifeline for Wyoming mines, providing a dedicated pathway to reach Asian markets. Lummis noted that this terminal would “open critical new pathways for Wyoming coal to reach global markets.”
Rare earth minerals
The revitalization of coal is being framed by the administration as a technological leap, rather than a return to the past. Gordon pointed out that mining companies in Wyoming, like Peabody, are now looking to coal as a source for rare earth and critical minerals.
“We are advancing technology, advancing the opportunities and the security of the state all because of your vision, sir,” Gordon told Trump.
U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum further explained that the administration has officially designated metallurgical coal as a critical mineral, citing its role in the steel industry. Burgum highlighted the speed of the current administration, noting that 76 coal mining permits have been approved in just over a year, compared to zero during the previous administration.
“This administration has done more to save, protect and expand coal in our country than any administration, perhaps, ever,” Burgum said.
After the announcement from Trump and comments from several top officials, the room opened up to questions from the media. Trump took time to mock “fake news” and wind energy while showcasing pictures of newly cleaned monuments in Washington. He also discussed his recent meetings with auto industry leaders and the repeal of electric vehicle mandates.
Despite the celebratory tone of the announcement in the White House, the moves have faced sharp criticism from environmental advocates. Kit Kennedy of the Natural Resources Defense Council likened the $700 million investment to a “taxpayer bailout to build new phone booths,” arguing it would lead to higher bills and more pollution, according to a press release.
“This is going to mean higher bills and dirtier air. What a waste,” she wrote. “Propping up coal billionaires with taxpayer money is one more way for the Trump administration to put polluters first and put the rest of us at risk. The best thing for the air, the climate and our utility bills is to let these plants retire peacefully.”
However, the administration remains undeterred, with Secretary Wright stating that “common sense is returning to Washington, D.C.”
By leveraging the Defense Production Act and focusing on both domestic reliability and international exports, the administration is betting that coal will remain a vital part of the American economy for decades to come.
“Americans cannot afford an energy policy that leaves them in the dark, and with this investment, President Trump is making sure they never will,” Lummis wrote. |
|