Washington, Feb 12 (NationPress) US President Donald Trump proclaimed himself the “undisputed champion of beautiful, clean coal” while formalizing a new executive order designed to enhance coal utilization and maintain older plants.

“Clean, beautiful coal, clean, beautiful coal,” Trump expressed at the White House on Wednesday (local time), as he welcomed miners and industry leaders to an event titled “Champion of Coal”. “You’ve never had a better friend in the Oval Office than me.”

Trump announced the signing of an executive order that will instruct the “Department of War to collaborate directly with coal facilities on new power purchasing agreements,” ensuring “more reliable power and a stronger, more resilient grid.” He added, “We’re going to be buying a lot of coal through the military now.”

He also stated that the Tennessee Valley Authority would keep two plants operational—the Cumberland Fossil Plant in Cumberland City and the Kingston Fossil Plant in Harriman, Tennessee—which he claimed were “slated for termination.” He emphasized that this decision would “save over 450 jobs.”

“Furthermore, I’m directing the Department of Energy to allocate funds to coal plants in West Virginia, Ohio, North Carolina, and Kentucky to ensure they remain operational,” Trump stated.

The President sharply criticized his predecessor, stating, “The Biden administration had no clue what he was doing, shutting down dozens of coal plants.” He claimed he had “ended the war on coal” on his “first day.”

Trump asserted that during his administration, “coal production has increased by nearly 4 million tons each month” and that “coal power generation rose by nearly 15 percent in my first year.” He mentioned that he had “already approved over 70 permits for very large, very powerful mines.”

He argued that coal demonstrated its significance during a recent winter storm, noting, “Coal generation surged 31 percent, while solar and wind completely collapsed.” He added, “The only reason many could enjoy a hot shower was due to the power supplied by the most reliable, dependable energy source we have.”

Kayla Blackford, a haul truck driver at Bear Run Mine in Indiana, remarked, “It’s the best job I’ve ever had.”

She expressed to the President that his “common sense policies to keep coal plants running” allowed her and her husband to “continue working” and “raising our son in our community.”

Jim Grech, CEO of Peabody Energy and chairman of the National Coal Council, expressed gratitude to Trump for “the actions you’ve taken to support our industry.” He stated, “We have a president who, more than any other, truly understands the significance of coal.”

Trump also associated coal with national security, mentioning, “Coal is critical to our national security, essential for everything from steel production to shipbuilding and artificial intelligence.”

He noted that the United States had established “historic trade agreements with Japan, Korea, India, and others to significantly boost our coal exports.”

Coal has long been a focal point in US energy policy discussions, particularly in states like West Virginia and Wyoming, where mining remains a crucial source of employment.

While environmental groups argue that coal-fired power plants contribute greatly to carbon emissions, industry advocates contend that technological advancements have rendered coal generation cleaner and more efficient.

The Tennessee Valley Authority, a federally owned utility, has recently faced debates regarding plant retirements and grid reliability. Trump’s latest directive highlights his administration’s focus on energy production and exports as vital components of economic and national security policy.