Trump: Promised coal’s comeback. Jobs kept vanishing. Coal plants kept closing. ⛏️🌫️

The decline of the U.S. coal industry is a multifaceted issue rooted in economic, environmental, and regulatory factors. While President Trump pledged to rejuvenate coal, the industry’s downturn has persisted, influenced by longstanding trends and policies dating back to the Nixon administration.

The Clean Air Act and Its Legacy

Enacted in 1970 under President Richard Nixon, the Clean Air Act (CAA) marked a pivotal shift in U.S. environmental policy. It authorized the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to regulate air pollutants, leading to significant reductions in emissions from various sources, including coal-fired power plants . These regulations increased operational costs for coal plants, prompting many utilities to transition to cleaner energy sources. (How does the Clean Air Act work?)

Economic Forces and Market Dynamics

Beyond regulatory measures, economic factors have played a significant role in coal’s decline. The rise of cheaper natural gas and renewable energy sources has made coal less competitive. For instance, in 2018, U.S. utilities planned to retire 11.4 gigawatts of coal-fired capacity, citing economic considerations . Additionally, automation and technological advancements have reduced the demand for coal labor, further impacting employment in the sector . (Trump Wants to Revive the Coal Industry. Coal Stocks Are Jumping., America’s coal plants closing despite Trump | EnergyTransition.org)

Trump’s Coal Revival Efforts

President Trump’s administration undertook several initiatives to revive the coal industry, including rolling back environmental regulations and designating coal as a “critical mineral” to facilitate mining on federal lands . Despite these efforts, the industry continued to contract. Between 2017 and 2020, coal production declined by 34%, and approximately 5,300 coal mining jobs were lost . Furthermore, the administration’s budget cuts affected programs designed to protect coal miners’ health, such as those addressing black lung disease . (Trump Wants to Revive the Coal Industry. Coal Stocks Are Jumping., ‘The coal industry is back,’ Trump proclaimed. It wasn’t., As Trump eyes coal revival, his job cuts hobble black lung protections for miners)

Conclusion

The trajectory of the coal industry underscores the complex interplay between environmental policy, market forces, and technological advancements. While regulatory frameworks like the Clean Air Act have contributed to cleaner air and public health benefits, economic realities have rendered coal less viable in the modern energy landscape. Efforts to reverse these trends have faced significant challenges, highlighting the need for comprehensive strategies that address both environmental concerns and economic transitions for affected communities.