Coal-fired Electricity Generation gets Big Boost from U.S. Government
COLUMBUS, Ohio — The President and CEO of Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives, Craig Grooms, was in Washington D.C. Monday to support plans to spur coal production and boost its use for more reliable, affordable, safe electricity generation.
The Department of Energy announced it will invest $625 million to upgrade and keep open coal plants that planned to retire amid strict, costly EPA regulations that have since been loosened. The Secretary of Interior Doug Burgum also announced Monday plans to open 13.1 million acres of federal land for coal leases to expand coal-fired power generation to fuel the growth of artificial intelligence technology in the country.
Officials said the move supports President Trump’s goal of strengthening U.S. energy dominance by incentivizing more production, improving supply chains, and creating more energy jobs which could boost the economy and improve American security.
The plan lowers royalty rates on coal and speeds up approvals for projects in states such as Montana, Wyoming, and Tennessee. Coal lease sales are moving forward in North Dakota and Alabama too. Officials say the changes are part of the administration’s “all-of-the-above” energy strategy to reduce dependence on foreign sources.
While Ohio’s coal comes primarily from private land, an increased supply of coal in the country could help to lower the cost of coal overall and bring down the cost to produce electricity. The EPA said its proposals would eventually save Americans $200 million annually in electricity costs.
Coal production today is less than half what it was nearly two decades ago. In 2009, Ohio has 21 coal plants producing electricity—today there are just 3. Tom Pyle, president of the American Energy Alliance, predicts that coal plants slated to close through 2028 will now stay open under President Trump’s new energy policies.
Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives President and CEO, Craig Grooms, said, “Coal has long been the primary source of the reliable, affordable electricity we provide to Ohio’s 24 electric cooperatives and their members, and Ohio’s electric cooperatives applaud the administration’s plans.” OEC also supports and invests in an all-of-the-above approach to energy production, which includes coal, natural gas, hydropower, wind, solar, and biomass.
“Coal has a long future, and it’s critical to our country,” said Chris Wright, U.S. Dept of Energy Secretary Chris Wright. “Coal is by far and away the world’s largest source of electricity, and we are going to stop closing coal plants which drives up electricity prices.”
