Donald Trump announced a massive reversal of U.S. environmental policy over decades on Monday, and he vowed to open coal-fired power plants “immediately”. [emphasis, links added]
The United States has been detached from coal dependence since the discovery in the early 2000s that the coal-fired process emits carbon dioxide (CO2), which scientists say is primarily responsible for climate change.
In the decades since, many Americans have turned to renewable alternatives and cheap natural gas as federal regulations raise operating costs for coal production.
Now, Coal accounts for only 15% of all electricity generated in the United States, down from more than 50% in 2000According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
But in a truth-clarifying social post late Monday, Trump announced that coal-fired power plants in the United States will be operating again.
“After years of captives of environmental extremists, madmen, activists and thugs, allowing other countries, especially China, to gain a huge economic advantage by opening hundreds of coal fire power plants, I authorize my government to immediately start producing energy with beautiful, clean coal,” he wrote.
According to Bloomberg, Trump's announcement is 120 coal-fired power plants planned to be closed in the next five years, partly due to environmental regulations that the U.S. Electricity Trade Group believes make it uneconomical.
Keeping these power plants can help reduce energy costs and provide energy for data centers and artificial intelligence that are eager to be longed for, Government officials argued.
The president even ran for the coal industry for the first time in 2016.
One of his first actions as president was to sign an order directing the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to repeal Obama-era regulations that attempted to free the U.S. power grid from coal-fired power plants.
Now it seems the president is continuing his efforts, Home Secretary Doug Bergum told Bloomberg last week The government is considering using emergency powers to bring back coal-fired power plants that have been closed and prevented by others from closing.
Energy Secretary Chris Wright also said the Trump administration is developing a “market-based plan” to prevent the closure of U.S. coal fire power plants.
His comments suggest that Trump may step forward with a plan that forces grid operators to buy power from struggling coal-fired power plants.
Meanwhile, EPA chief Lee Zeldin announced a series of measures last week to revoke what he calls important environmental regulations “The most important day in American history to deregulate.”
Total Selding said he is rolling back 31 environmental regulations, including some pollution that limits the possible pollution from coal-fired power plants.
EPA chief also vows to defeat the 2009 science “dangerous discovery” [political] The conclusions found that the gases that cause global warming pose a threat to public health and welfare.
Trump is believed to be strengthening deregulation on coal-fired power plants competing with China.
The country relies on coal-fired power to stimulate production of a range of commodities and drive its economic expansion.
However, even if China's annual GDP jumped from USD 361 billion in 1990 to USD 14.7 trillion in 2020 in USD 14.7 trillion in 2020 in USD 14.7 trillion in USD 1990 in USD 1990 Its coal consumption is twice, and its carbon dioxide emissions are tripledaccording to Bloomberg.
Still, at least one person celebrates Trump’s decision – West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey, who called it “outstanding news.”
“West Virginia is the energy country of the United States and we are ready to lead the energy revival of our country with Donald Trump,” he said. He posted on X.
“President Trump digs coal, West Virginia digs President Trump!”
Read more in the Daily Mail
