June 23, 2026 - On Thursday, President Donald J. Trump and the U.S. Department of Energy announced a federal initiative providing hundreds of millions in funding to support coal-fired power generation and coal export infrastructure across America, including projects in Kentucky. Senate President Robert Stivers, R-Manchester, issued the following statement regarding the announcement:

"Kentucky's economy depends on affordable and reliable energy. That's why the General Assembly has worked to protect critical baseload generation, support a long-term strategy through the Energy Planning and Inventory Commission and position ourselves to meet growing energy demands without sacrificing reliability.

"Coal remains a vital part of Kentucky's energy portfolio and supports thousands of jobs across our commonwealth. We welcome efforts to recognize and support coal's continued role in maintaining energy reliability and meeting growing energy needs.

Robert Stivers

"Kentucky will continue advocating for an all-of-the-above energy strategy prioritizing reliability, affordability and energy security."

Background

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, projects in Kentucky are selected for funding to support the modernization and long-term operation of existing coal-fired generation assets. 

The federal initiative includes up to $425 million for projects supporting America's coal fleet and up to $75 million for development of the West Gateway Terminal Project in California, which would expand U.S. coal export capacity to allied nations in the Indo-Pacific region. The administration says the projects are intended to strengthen domestic coal supply chains, support reliable baseload generation and bolster America's energy security.

Additional information on the announcement is available through the U.S. Department of Energy. Find a list of projects at this link.