Trump orders Pentagon to buy electricity generated by coal
Al Jazeera8 hrs
Trump Orders Military Coal Purchases, $175M Plant Upgrades
Does forcing the Pentagon to buy coal waste taxpayer money or ensure reliable energy for national security?
Above: Mounds of coking coal are accumulated at the AK Steel Holding Corp. mill in Middletown, Ohio, on Sept. 24, 2016. Image credit: Luke Sharrett/Bloomberg/Getty Images
The Spin
Republican narrative
Coal power provides reliable, dependable energy that's essential for national security and economic strength. The Pentagon's long-term coal contracts will deliver lower electricity costs for American families while ensuring industries have steady power supplies. Approving over 70 new coal mining permits after Biden approved zero shows real commitment to energy independence and supporting American workers.
Democratic narrative
Forcing the Pentagon to buy coal power wastes taxpayer money on dirty, outdated plants that cost more than cleaner alternatives. Keeping aging coal facilities running drives up electricity bills for families while locking in pollution from plants scheduled to close because they're too expensive. This backward energy policy undermines national security by investing in climate-destabilizing fossil fuels instead of the distributed renewable solutions military bases actually need.
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© 2026 Improve the News Foundation. All rights reserved.Version 6.18.0
© 2026 Improve the News Foundation.
All rights reserved.
Version 6.18.0