Donald Trump has once again turned his focus to coal, announcing a series of executive actions aimed at breathing new life into the declining fossil fuel sector. But despite the bold rhetoric, economic and technological trends suggest the coal revival may already be a lost cause.
‘Beautiful, Clean Coal’ Returns to the Spotlight
In a press conference surrounded by coal miners, Trump championed what he called “beautiful, clean coal,” signing executive orders that reclassify coal as a “critical mineral,” accelerate leasing on federal lands, and explore coal-powered solutions for the growing energy demands of data centers.
He hopes to capitalize on the anticipated surge in electricity usage driven by artificial intelligence and data infrastructure. However, experts argue that turning back to coal is both impractical and outdated in today’s rapidly transforming energy landscape.
Energy Experts Say the Market Has Moved On
“Trying to power next-gen technologies with 1700s energy is an ironic and costly mismatch,” said Seth Feaster, a data analyst at the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis. The U.S. grid is increasingly shaped by cheaper, cleaner alternatives like solar, wind, and natural gas.
In fact, more coal plants were retired during Trump’s first term than in either of Obama’s. The average coal plant in the U.S. is over 45 years old and expensive to maintain—especially when compared to more modern, efficient energy sources.
AI Boom and Power Demand: A New Hope for Coal?
The explosive growth of AI-powered data operations has stirred conversations about energy resilience. Bloomberg Intelligence suggests electricity demand from data centers could quadruple in the next five years, largely due to AI development. Goldman Sachs similarly forecasts a 165% global energy spike from data centers by 2030.
Some utilities are rethinking coal plant retirements. In Virginia, home to 96 Amazon data centers, two coal plants had their shutdowns delayed due to increased power demand. A similar scenario occurred in Nebraska, where Google and Meta-related demand kept a coal plant active beyond its scheduled closure.
But Revival Is Not Resurrection
Despite the uptick in demand, experts stress that temporary lifelines for old coal plants don’t equate to a meaningful revival. PJM Interconnection, a regional power coordinator, noted that the market isn’t signaling any real future for coal.
Building new coal infrastructure is a hard sell in a market dominated by investor interest in renewables, nuclear, and battery storage. Even tech giants are shifting strategies toward clean infrastructure and AI-focused energy innovation.
Politics vs. Economics: A Losing Battle
Trump blames Democrats and green policies for coal’s decline, branding Biden’s environmental agenda as the “Green New Scam.” But market economics—not politics—have driven coal’s downfall. Fracking and affordable renewables have simply outcompeted coal over the past two decades.
In West Virginia, lawmakers tried to include coal-boosting language in a bill designed to attract data centers. But those provisions were removed after the state’s largest utility warned they’d increase customer costs, highlighting the disconnect between policy and economic feasibility.
Regulatory Loopholes: A Risky Path Forward
The Trump administration is working to dismantle environmental protections to favor coal. Recent EPA changes include rolling back pollution reporting and allowing exemptions from mercury and air toxics standards—moves aimed at making coal more economically viable.
Still, communities near coal plants could pay the price. Coal emissions contain harmful pollutants like sulfur dioxide and heavy metals, contributing to respiratory illness and cancer. A 2023 study estimated that coal plants were responsible for over 460,000 excess deaths in the U.S. between 1999 and 2020.
Health and Safety Cuts Raise Alarm
Compounding concerns, recent budget cuts at the Department of Health and Human Services have led to layoffs of researchers studying coal-related illnesses like black lung, raising alarms about the administration’s commitment to protecting workers.
Conclusion: A Nostalgic Vision in a Changing World
While Trump’s executive orders may spark headlines, they’re unlikely to reverse coal’s decades-long decline. The energy sector is moving toward cleaner, more sustainable solutions, and the next generation of technologies will be powered by innovation—not nostalgia.
Efforts to delay the inevitable may only prolong the economic and environmental costs. As utilities and tech companies continue to invest in cleaner options, coal’s future remains firmly in the rearview mirror.
