By Patrick Morrisey 

June 25, 2026 - Our miners, power plant workers, and engineers have built the strongest economy in the world. We power factories, win wars, keep the lights on, and make modern life possible for generations of Americans. But for too long, our workers were told their industry was outdated. Leftists in Washington said they’d put us “out of business.” We were forced to take a backseat on the future while others took the lead. That ended with the election of President Donald J. Trump.

The clean coal comeback started with President Trump, and continued with fresh leadership in West Virginia.

Patrick Morrisey

Beautiful, clean coal has a future in America, because we have chosen to partner with President Trump. And the results are already materializing. The President just announced a historic $700 million investment to strengthen America’s coal industry. This is not only a turning point for West Virginia, but for anyone who believes in our nation’s energy future. By supporting the coal industry, updating existing facilities, protecting reliable generation, and investing in new capacity levels, America will remain secure, competitive, and prosperous for years to come.

For West Virginia, this signals opportunity.

Our state has long led the nation in energy production. We remain among America’s top producers of coal, natural gas, and total energy output. We have the workforce, the resources, the infrastructure, and the determination to lead again. The challenge before us now is not whether we can meet the need, but if we are willing to dream big enough to meet the demands of the next generation.

That is where our 50 by 50 energy policy comes in.

Some have said our goal is ambitious. We’re looking to expand West Virginia’s generating capacity from roughly 16 gigawatts today to 50 gigawatts by 2050. That’s a massive difference, but I know it’s possible. West Virginia has achieved feats like this before, and we’ll do it again.

If we accomplish our goal, that would mean more power generation, stronger grid reliability, greater investment in our communities, and thousands of opportunities for families new and old. It means making West Virginia the energy backbone of America once again.

Now more than ever, we need to consider our energy needs to power our homes, careers, and our future.

The United States is rapidly entering a new industrial race driven by new technologies, advanced manufacturing, and data infrastructure. These systems require enormous amounts of electricity and highly paid workers. Whoever can produce this reliable, affordable power at scale will shape the global economy of the future.

China understands this. It’s important that America and West Virginia does too.

The future of our state and our nation start with good-paying jobs. We cannot build that future on energy shortages and unreliable grids. Reliable baseload generation matters. Coal always has and always will have a role to play in delivering it.

But it will require an all of the above, all hands on deck approach.

It is coal alongside all these other resources — nuclear, natural gas, and other sources of energy — that will work to strengthen our grid. We can modernize our existing facilities, improve their efficiency, invest in cleaner technologies, and continue protecting our natural beauty while still meeting America’s growing energy needs.

For too long, West Virginia exported resources while watching opportunity leave with them. No more.

This moment gives us a chance to create high-paying jobs, attract investment, support our communities, and ensure that the energy powering America’s future is produced here at home in West Virginia, not outsourced overseas or across state lines.

West Virginia has answered America’s call before.

We are ready to do it again.

Patrick Morrisey is the 37th governor of West Virginia. Before being elected governor, Morrisey served as West Virginia’s Attorney General.