Beech Tree News Network

FRANKFORT – Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman is praising President Trump’s signing of an executive order to prevent the closing of coal-fired power plants to meet the rising demand for electricity and directed federal agencies to rescind policies from the Biden Administration that sought to move away from coal production.

“For generations, coal has powered Kentucky to prosperity,” Coleman said. “After enduring years of assaults on our coal workers and their families, I’m grateful to have President Trump as an ally in the White House to support our Commonwealth’s reliable and affordable energy. Tony Campbell of East Kentucky Power Cooperative deserves a lot of credit for sounding the alarm of the growing threats to our grid’s reliability. His unwavering advocacy on behalf of Kentucky families helped make today’s announcement a reality.”  

According to the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet, coal accounts for 68 percent of Kentucky’s electricity portfolio and is still the state’s primary energy source.

Coleman has been at the forefront of protecting electric reliability. During the Biden Administration, he challenged numerous regulations that targeted Kentucky’s coal industry. The Attorney General’s Office successfully defeated EV mandates and an overburdensome EPA air regulation.

Last year, led by Kentucky State Senate President Robert Stivers, R-Manchester, the General Assembly created the Electric Reliability Defense Fund and invested $3 million in the Attorney General’s Office to protect Kentuckians’ access to affordable and reliable power.

At the time, Stivers noted, “In the 2024 Legislative Session, the Kentucky General Assembly provided funding to establish the Electric Reliability Defense Fund, ensuring Coleman has the resources to fight back. This fund is one of many examples of the legislature's commitment to preventing federal regulations from undermining Kentucky's energy independence and driving up costs for families amid persistent inflation.”

Stivers was in Washington for Trump’s announcement on Tuesday.

“America's energy demands are only increasing. I'm encouraged by President Donald Trump's executive order to expedite and streamline the permitting and processing of coal-fired plants in Kentucky once again,” Stivers said. “The incentive package now in place will allow Kentucky to take full advantage of an all-of-the-above energy approach once again and provide for Kentucky's growing energy demands right here in the commonwealth. Kentucky is uniquely positioned to rejuvenate and refurbish our existing coal-fired plants and get them operational quickly for maximum output.” 

Trump also directed federal agencies to identify coal resources on federal lands, lift barriers to coal mining and prioritize coal leasing on U.S. lands.