Trump Executive Order Prioritizes Coal for National Defense Grid
President Donald J. Trump has signed an Executive Order directing the Department of War to prioritize long-term power purchase agreements with coal-fired energy production facilities. The stated purpose of this order is to bolster national defense and ensure the reliability and resilience of the U.S. electric grid, particularly for military installations and critical defense infrastructure.
The stated purpose of this order is to bolster national defense and ensure the reliability and resilience of the U.S. electric grid, particularly for military installations and critical defense infrastructure.
Directives for Power Procurement
The Executive Order instructs the Secretary of War, in coordination with the Secretary of Energy, to approve long-term Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) or similar contracts with coal-fired facilities. These agreements are intended to serve Department of War installations and other mission-critical facilities.
Priority will be given to projects that enhance:
- Grid reliability and blackout prevention
- On-site fuel security
- Mission assurance for defense and intelligence capabilities
Stated Rationale
The administration has articulated that a resilient and reliable electric grid is foundational for U.S. national defense and economic stability, supporting military installations, operations, and defense-industrial production. Disruptions stemming from energy shortages, foreign supply dependencies, or intermittent generation sources are cited as potential threats to military readiness and public safety.
The order asserts that the nation's coal resources and the continuous baseload power provided by coal-fired generation are crucial for ensuring military installations, command centers, and defense-industrial bases remain powered under various conditions, including natural disasters or wartime contingencies. This approach is framed as essential for national security, strategic deterrence, and energy dominance.
The nation's coal resources and the continuous baseload power provided by coal-fired generation are crucial for ensuring military installations, command centers, and defense-industrial bases remain powered under various conditions.
The administration also stated that intermittent energy sources, such as wind and solar, may be unreliable during extreme weather conditions, potentially leaving the grid and defense installations vulnerable to power interruptions. The Department of War is directed to strategically utilize coal resources due to their described reliability in providing continuous, on-demand baseload power.
Policy Background
In alignment with Executive Orders 14261 and 14262 (April 8, 2025) and Executive Order 14156 (January 20, 2025), United States policy declares coal as essential for national and economic security. The policy mandates that the electric grid must utilize power generation resources with abundant fuel supplies capable of extended operations, particularly to address a national energy emergency.
General Provisions
The Executive Order specifies that it does not impair the legal authorities of executive departments or agencies, nor the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget regarding budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals. Its implementation is subject to applicable law and the availability of appropriations.
The order explicitly states that it does not create any enforceable rights or benefits against the U.S. government, its departments, agencies, or entities. The Department of War will cover the publication costs associated with this order.