CHARLESTON, W.Va. — On Monday, the Trump administration announced a $625 million investment in the nation’s coal industry.
The administration’s plan strives to keep the doors open at many coal plants, lower energy costs nationwide, and win the global AI race.
The investment is highlighted by a $350 million commitment to modernize coal plants with reliable electric power and capacity. $175 million will be going towards projects expected more reliable and less costly energy to rural areas.
Also part of Trump’s investment is a $50 million commitment to wastewater management systems. The funds will go towards upgrades needed to extend the lifespan of coal plants and reduce operating costs.
“This is a major victory for both West Virginia and the United States,” Governor Patrick Morrisey said in a statement. “I commend President Donald Trump and Secretary of Energy Chris Wright for backing West Virginia’s coal industry and supporting our ‘50 by 50’ policy, which will rely heavily on coal and gas to empower our state to take the lead in securing America’s energy future and advance our position against China in the data and AI arms race.”
“America needs to increase its energy production, and West Virginia has the opportunity to lead the way. By upgrading our existing coal-fired power plants to run cleaner and more efficiently, we can lower energy prices for consumers and build the generating capacity we need to compete with China, all while supporting the hardworking West Virginians who work in our coal and gas industries,” he continued.
Chris Hamilton, president of the West Virginia Coal Association, also praised the Trump administration for the commitment to the coal industry.
“We are deeply appreciative of President Trump’s steadfast commitment to America’s coal industry and energy security. The planned initiatives by the Department of Energy, Department of Interior, and Environmental Protection Agency represent an extraordinary affirmation of the President’s long-standing support for responsible coal production, family-sustaining coal jobs, and reliable, affordable American energy,” Hamilton said.
Unlike Morrisey and Hamilton, Energy Efficient West Virginia policy director Emmett Pepper is not celebrating. He says bills in West Virginia are high, and this new investment won’t change things.
“Hey, why not add federal taxpayer subsidies onto the hundreds of millions in losses at coal plants that West Virginia ratepayers are covering through higher bills? Just in the last two years, AEP alone lost $150 million of ratepayers’ money in West Virginia, because they ordered so much coal that they had to run their plants at losses. It would be nice if federal or state elected officials would do something to help us reduce our bills and make it more reliable, instead of using their positions to give away our money to the most politically-connected industries,” Pepper said.
“West Virginia has some of the least reliable electricity in the country and giving taxpayers’ money away to burn coal won’t change that because we already get more of our power from coal than any other state.”