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Story summary
- President Donald Trump signed an order declaring coal essential for national security and directing a $625 million Department of Energy (DOE) investment.
- NIOSH reports one in ten miners with 25+ years now has progressive massive fibrosis.
- Black-lung deaths, which fell after 1999, rose from 2020 to 2023.
- MSHA delayed the silica rule limiting quartz dust to 50 µg/m³ after a court stay, leaving miners exposed, which unions warn will raise black-lung risk.
