Last year, I made the move to Kentucky, not to flee California’s chaos, but to find a place where hard work, community, and patriotism still matter. In the coal towns of Appalachian Kentucky, you can feel that spirit. These are places where people create energy rather than just consume it.
Recently, former President Trump signed an executive order aimed at boosting coal production. This order is significant because it marks a shift in how Washington views the American interior. For many years, decisions about energy were made far away in places like Davos or Silicon Valley. Now, it seems that areas like Pikeville and Hazard are starting to get the attention they deserve.
However, this executive order is just a first step. While it cuts through some of the red tape and signals a change in national priorities, it’s crucial that this is only the beginning of a larger conversation about revitalizing Kentucky and the coal industry as a whole.
Signed on April 8, the order titled “Reinvigorating America’s Beautiful Clean Coal Industry” reclassifies coal as a mineral. This change aims to simplify the permitting process and open up federal lands for coal mining. The order states that coal is vital for national and economic security, signaling that energy policy is now seen as essential to both defense and prosperity.
This order seeks to reverse restrictions from the Obama and Biden administrations that hurt the coal industry. It also calls for a review of federally managed coal reserves for possible extraction. There is a belief that coal will play a role in producing steel and powering data centers for artificial intelligence, potentially leading to a new era for American energy.
Despite this positive outlook, the reality is that no new coal-fired power plants have been built since 2014. Good policies mean little if they aren’t acted upon. The focus on rural America often fades as the political spotlight shifts elsewhere.
The future of coal has implications that go beyond local concerns. While coal still makes up 16% of the U.S. energy grid, investment in coal has dwindled. Power plants have been shut down faster than new ones have been built, and federal policies have not supported modernization efforts. Previous administrations prioritized renewable energy, leading to a situation where renewables now produce more power than coal, but this shift has its drawbacks.
Renewable energy sources like solar and wind are not always reliable, which can lead to instability in the energy grid. For instance, California recently celebrated a milestone of “100 days of 100 percent clean energy,” but this doesn’t tell the whole story. Renewable energy output can vary, and fossil fuels still play a crucial role in maintaining a stable grid.
This is where coal could come back into play. Kentucky has the resources, laws, and infrastructure to lead in coal production. The state ranks fifth in the U.S. for recoverable coal reserves, with substantial deposits still available. Despite a long history of mining, Kentucky has around 30 billion tons of coal reserves left.
However, coal production in Kentucky has dramatically declined from 34.6 million tons in 2000 to just 5.6 million tons today. This drop is due to the rise of natural gas and renewables, along with stricter environmental regulations and a loss of manufacturing jobs.
While federal policies have favored renewable energy, Kentucky’s state legislature has taken steps to support the coal industry. In 2023, laws were passed requiring utilities to justify the closure of coal plants, ensuring energy reliability. Additionally, Senate Bill 89 was enacted to ease environmental regulations for coal facilities.
Kentucky’s legislative support is crucial, but it must be backed by logistics and infrastructure. The state leads in completed segments of the Appalachian Development Highway System, which connects coalfields to processing plants and industrial hubs. This network is essential for supporting the coal industry.
Financing remains a significant challenge for coal. Many financial institutions have shied away from investing in coal due to environmental concerns and commitments to climate goals. However, recent reports suggest that many U.S. banks are still willing to finance coal projects.
Reviving coal is not just about extraction; it also involves investing in the infrastructure needed to support it. Programs like the Appalachian Regional Commission and its POWER Initiative provide funding for job training and infrastructure, which could help rebuild communities in Appalachia.
Kentucky possesses the tools and resources to revive its coal industry. All it needs is the determination to execute its plans. President Trump’s executive order is a promising start, but it must lead to real action. Appalachia has a chance to harness its energy resources for a brighter future, allowing people to remain in their communities and thrive. Kentucky, along with neighboring states, seeks purpose and a place in the American dream, with coal playing a key role in powering the new digital age.