July 24, 2026 - Two priority reports presented this week to U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright by the National Coal Council will offer needed assistance to West Virginia Coal and provide the state with an energy blueprint for growth and development.

The reports Considerations for Maintaining and Growing the U.S. Coal Fleet and Opportunities to Expand U.S. Coal Export Options call upon the U.S. Department of Energy, the EPA, and Congress to continue the work of the National Energy Dominance Council by Improving the performance and value of coal-fired generation and expanding U.S. Coal Exports.

Both reports present a series of recommendations and actions to guide President Trump’s energy policy towards removing regulatory, competitive and trade constraints preventing the U.S. coal industry from reaching its potential in domestic and world markets.

Chris Hamilton, President of the West Virginia Coal Association and a member of the National Coal Council, expressed his appreciation for the work of the council and noted that both reports will ultimately benefit West Virginia by shoring up the state’s dependence on coal-fired electric generation.

“Eighty-eight percent of our state’s electricity production comes from coal and West Virginia is the nation’s leading coal export state accounting for upwards of 40% of coal leaving the U.S. borders,” said Hamilton. “West Virginia coal exports not only account for half of West Virginia’s total output but also contribute significantly to the U.S. balance of trade.”

During Tuesday’s National Coal Council meeting in Washington DC, Doug Burgum who heads the National Energy Dominance Council and Chris Wright, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Energy, pledged to finish the work of President Trump’s energy team over the next 30 months and dedicated additional federal resources and budget dollars to boost “Beautiful, Clean Coal”.

Hamilton echoed the praise for the National Coal Council and its leaders, Jim Grech of Peabody Energy and Jimmy Brock with Core Natural Resources. Hamilton also noted the reports are congruous with West Virginia House Bill 2014 and the coal provisions to upgrade and modernize West Virginias coal fleet as well as Governor Morrisey’s 50 by 50 energy plan.

“Legislatively, these reports should be relied upon by state lawmakers to advance compatible legislation and policies to advance state coal operations,” Hamilton said.