WASHINGTON, D.C. — Former President Donald Trump signed a series of executive orders aimed at revitalizing the struggling coal industry by rolling back regulations that have restricted coal production.
Trump, who announced with strong support from coal miners and industry leaders, argued that undoing these restrictions would help stimulate economic growth and create jobs in coal-dependent regions.
The coal industry, once a dominant force in U.S. energy production, has faced significant challenges in recent years.
Competition from cheaper and cleaner energy sources, such as natural gas and renewables, has eroded its market share.
Environmental regulations designed to curb carbon emissions and pollution have also played a role in the sector’s decline, impacting both coal mining operations and coal-fired power plants.
The executive orders reversed several of these environmental regulations, which Trump claimed were too burdensome and contributed to job losses in the coal industry.
He emphasized that removing these regulatory hurdles would allow coal companies to increase production, potentially reopening mines and generating new employment opportunities.