Trump to use wartime powers to dole out $700m to coal industry
President Trump is invoking the Defense Production Act to provide $700 million in grants to the US coal industry. The administration claims this supports energy independence, while critics argue it prioritizes polluting fossil fuels over environmental standards.
Why it matters
This move represents a significant shift in energy policy, utilizing wartime powers to subsidize an industry that is facing decline due to environmental and economic factors.
Workers transport and organize mounds of coal on a hilltop near an Arch Coal facility in Beckley, West Virginia, in 2025. Photograph: Adrees Latif/Reuters View image in fullscreen Workers transport and organize mounds of coal on a hilltop near an Arch Coal facility in Beckley, West Virginia, in 2025. Photograph: Adrees Latif/Reuters US news Trump to use wartime powers to dole out $700m to coal industry US president accused of ‘putting polluters first’ by invoking Defense Production Act to prop up coal output
The language used, such as 'dirtiest of fossil fuels' and 'cuddly rebranding,' indicates a critical editorial stance.
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