Trump Orders Pentagon to Buy Coal-Generated Electricity to Boost Fossil Fuel Industry

President Trump signed an executive order on February 11, 2026, directing the Department of Defense to enter into long-term purchase agreements with coal-fired power plants to supply electricity to military installations. The order, titled "Strengthening United States National Defense with America's Beautiful Clean Coal Power Generation Fleet," frames the move as a national security measure while aiming to boost the struggling coal industry. Trump announced the initiative at a White House event where he received an "Undisputed Champion of Coal" award from an industry lobbying group. The administration also announced $175 million in Energy Department funding to upgrade coal plants in multiple states, despite coal's declining cost competitiveness compared to renewable alternatives and significant climate change concerns. The order prioritizes political favoritism toward the coal industry over cost-effective procurement and genuine security needs.

"directs the Department of War to work directly with coal plants on the new power purchasing agreements, ensuring that we have more reliable power, and stronger and more resilient grid power" — Trump's announcement at the White House event where he received the coal industry award