The Energy Department says the Trump administration is making $100 million available to help make existing coal plants profitable.
The department said in a press release Friday that it is providing funding to “renovate and modernize” existing coal plants.
Coal use in the US has been declining in recent years sincepeak in 2007In 2023, it becomes approximately16 percentof American electric power.
However, the Trump administration has sought to increase the use of coal, includingOrderMichigan coal plants will remain open,reducing environmental regulationsAnd providing funds.
“These projects will help keep America’s coal plants running and ensure the United States has the reliable and affordable electricity needed to keep the lights on and power our future,” Energy Secretary Chris Wright said in a written statement.
It was not immediately clear where the $100 million funding would come from.
It would fund projects that recover water or other valuables from coal plant wastewater, allow automatic switching between gas and coal at power plants where both are used and help plants maximize their ability to co-fire with gas.
This announcement has been made by the administration after prior determination$625 million for coal plants,
While it has sought to provide such funding for coal, the Trump administration has also said it wouldcancel billions of dollarsJoe Biden administration funding was supposed to go toward climate-friendly energy projects.
Coal is a particularly carbon-intensive fuel and a major contributor to climate change as well as air pollution.
