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Trump's Executive Order Revives Struggling U.S. Coal Industry

4/8/2025

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Summary

Story summary

President Trump is set to sign an executive order on Tuesday that could breathe new life into the struggling U.S. coal industry. By designating coal as a critical mineral and easing mining restrictions, the order seeks to ensure older coal plants remain operational to meet the surging electricity demands driven by data centers and artificial intelligence, sparking fresh debates over environmental impacts.

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Story summary

President Trump is set to sign an executive order on Tuesday that could breathe new life into the struggling U.S. coal industry. By designating coal as a critical mineral and easing mining restrictions, the order seeks to ensure older coal plants remain operational to meet the surging electricity demands driven by data centers and artificial intelligence, sparking fresh debates over environmental impacts.