By Charles Young, WV News
WASHINGTON (WV News) — The Trump administration on Monday announced a pair of initiatives to boost the U.S. coal industry and increase coal production.
The U.S. Department of the Interior said it would open 13.1 million acres of federal land for coal leasing, and the U.S. Energy Department announced a sizable investment meant to keep coal plants operating past planned retirement dates.
Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum said opening additional lands for coal uses is part of fulfilling President Donald Trump’s goal for “American Energy Dominance.”
“President Trump promised to put American energy workers first, and today we’re delivering,” Burgum said. “By reducing the royalty rate for coal, increasing coal acres available for leasing and unlocking critical minerals from mine waste, we are strengthening our economy, protecting national security and ensuring that communities from Montana to Alabama benefit from good-paying jobs.”
“Washington doesn’t build prosperity, American workers and entrepreneurs do, and we’re giving them the tools to succeed,” Burgum said.
U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright announced a $625 million investment to “expand and reinvigorate” the nation’s coal industry Monday morning during an appearance on Fox Business.
“We’re announcing today expanded programs to help the American coal industry,” he said. “And we’re helping it because just for years it’s been under assault.”
