A decades-old advisory group, the National Coal Council, has been resurrected within the White House complex. Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum spearheaded the reinstatement, recognizing the profound impact of the coal industry on American life, from powering homes to bolstering national security.
The council, now led by industry veterans Jim Grech of Peabody Energy and Jimmy Brock of Core Natural Resources, was disbanded four years prior. Wright didn’t mince words, describing the previous decision as a product of “ignorance and arrogance,” a sentiment echoing the belief that the industry’s value had been dangerously underestimated.
Burgum emphasized the far-reaching consequences of coal’s presence, extending beyond extraction states like North Dakota. He lauded companies continuing to provide reliable, affordable power as “heroes,” acknowledging the immense regulatory hurdles they face in maintaining operations.
Looking to history, Wright painted a vivid picture of coal’s pivotal role in societal advancement. He pointed to England’s dominance during the 1707 Glorious Revolution, fueled by a coal industry that accounted for half of its energy production – a milestone the rest of the world wouldn’t reach for another two centuries.
That early advantage, Wright argued, allowed England and Scotland to withstand challenges, effectively holding “barbarians at the wall” thanks to the strength of their coal reserves. The subsequent decisions by the United Kingdom and Germany to dismantle their coal industries serve as a cautionary tale.
The current energy landscape demands a renewed focus on coal, particularly in light of the burgeoning artificial intelligence race. Wright revealed that China has recently brought online 93 gigawatts of coal power – enough to power an entire metropolitan area like Denver – highlighting a significant strategic disparity.
To compete effectively in this new era, the United States needs to add between 50 and 100 gigawatts of additional coal power capacity, according to Wright. This assessment underscores the critical role coal must play in securing America’s future technological leadership.
The administration has already committed substantial resources to revitalizing the U.S. coal industry, allocating $625 million following a directive to strengthen the nation’s energy grid. These efforts have already preserved over 15 gigawatts of coal-powered electricity.
Recent Department of Energy analysis confirms the vital importance of coal to grid stability. The studies reveal that losing coal-fired power plants would jeopardize the reliability of the energy supply, while also projecting a need for an additional 100 gigawatts of peak-hour power by 2030.
