The administration's efforts include potentially using emergency authority to keep coal plants operational, a move previously attempted during Trump's first term. However, the resurgence of coal is uncertain, as it is generally more expensive than wind or solar energy. Environmental groups, like the Sierra Club, argue that supporting coal is economically and environmentally detrimental. Despite these challenges, the administration is focused on maintaining coal as a power source, particularly for data centers, amidst the growing demand for electricity.
Key takeaways:
- The Trump administration is developing a market-based plan to prevent the closure of US coal-fired power plants to meet the anticipated electricity demand surge from AI.
- Energy Secretary Chris Wright mentioned that the plan aims to remove obstacles for entrepreneurs to build and operate power systems.
- Despite efforts to support coal, a significant number of coal plants are scheduled to shut down due to environmental regulations and economic factors.
- The Sierra Club highlights that coal plants are generally more expensive to operate than wind or solar sources, contributing to their decline.