Trump Kills Coal

While the current political climate is full of surprises, a move to shut down coal plants by 2026 based on a "climate change is not a hoax" declaration would be a complete reversal of the Trump administration's current trajectory.

Recently, the administration has taken the opposite approach, doubling down on "energy dominance" and fossil fuels. Here is a look at the current state of U.S. energy policy and coal.

The "Clean Coal" Revival

Since returning to office in 2025, the administration has framed coal as a strategic national asset rather than a liability. Instead of scheduling shutdowns, the White House has issued several executive orders aimed at keeping aging plants online.

• Emergency Orders: The Department of Energy has recently issued emergency mandates to prevent the retirement of plants like the Craig coal plant in Colorado and several units in Indiana, citing the need for "reliable baseload power" to support AI data centers and manufacturing.

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• Regulatory Rollbacks: The EPA has moved to rescind many Biden-era restrictions, specifically the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards, to lower operational costs for coal-fired facilities.

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• The National Coal Council: This federal advisory committee was recently reinstated to provide a roadmap for expanding coal's role in the U.S. power grid through 2030 and beyond.

Trump’s Stance on Climate Change

Regarding the "hoax" rhetoric, there has been a massive shift toward a climate-centric policy. In 2025 and early 2026, the President has continued to refer to global climate initiatives as a "scam" or a "con job."

"If you don’t get away from this green scam, your country is going to fail." — President Trump at the UN General Assembly, September 2025.

The administration has also initiated a formal withdrawal from the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, further signaling a rejection of international climate targets.

The August 2026 Outlook

As of now, there is a federal mandate to shut down coal plants by August 31, 2026. In fact, the administration's goal is to add approximately 17 gigawatts of solar-powered electricity.

While market forces and state laws continue to push some plants toward retirement, the federal government is finally on board to knock those smokestacks down and onto Little Woot's lawn.