President Donald Trump signed an executive order on April 8, 2025, aimed at reinvigorating America’s clean coal industry, with U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) joining him at the White House for the ceremony. The order lifts barriers to coal mining and prioritizes coal leasing on federal lands, supporting Wyoming’s coal production, which accounts for nearly half of U.S. output from the Powder River Basin, as noted on April 8th.
Barrasso, speaking on the Senate floor, highlighted Wyoming’s low-sulfur coal as a critical, clean energy source, arguing it can meet rising electricity demands projected to double by 2050. He criticized past Democratic regulations for straining the grid and raising energy prices by 31%, while noting China’s expansion of coal plants. The executive action, Barrasso stated, will lower prices, create jobs, and enhance national security by reducing reliance on foreign energy. He emphasized coal’s role in powering data centers and AI, giving the U.S. a competitive edge.
The order aligns with Trump’s broader energy strategy, reversing Biden-era policies like the coal leasing moratorium on federal lands. However, environmental groups argue coal’s revival risks public health and climate goals, citing its emissions despite “clean coal” claims.
