A U.S. coal advisory council on Tuesday urged the Department of Energy (DOE) to provide financial backing for existing coal-fired power plants and the construction of new facilities, arguing that stronger government support is needed to strengthen the sector.
The recommendations were presented at a meeting in Washington and include loan guarantees, grants, federal power purchase agreements and investments in coal infrastructure. The council also called for the removal of regulatory and financial barriers that hinder new coal plant development.
The proposals align with President Donald Trump’s efforts to revive the U.S. coal industry after his administration reinstated the National Coal Council, which had been dissolved during former President Joe Biden’s administration. The council includes representatives from major coal producers such as Peabody Energy, Warrior Met Coal and Core Natural Resources.
The DOE said its financing office has been restructured to support the administration’s energy priorities, including expanding what it describes as “clean coal,” marking a shift from previous funding that largely targeted renewable energy, electric vehicles and grid infrastructure.
The council also urged the Environmental Protection Agency to repeal greenhouse gas rules affecting coal plants and called on the Department of the Interior to simplify federal coal leasing. U.S. coal production rose about 3% to roughly 528 million tons last year, while coal accounted for around 17% of the country’s electricity generation in 2025, reflecting stronger power demand and higher natural gas prices.