Coal to Run Robots: Trump’s AI Energy Gambit

Trump’s latest executive order aims to revive the coal industry as a strategic energy source for powering AI, igniting controversy, and reshaping America’s tech-driven future.

Editorial Team (ET)May 8, 2025

In a move that is both audacious and politically charged, President Donald Trump has launched a sweeping new initiative aimed at revitalizing the long-declining coal industry in the United States. His objective? Powering the energy-hungry backbone of the artificial intelligence revolution—data centers—and positioning the U.S. as the undisputed leader in the global AI race.

The executive order, set to be signed Tuesday afternoon, marks a significant shift in U.S. energy policy and underscores Trump’s unrelenting drive to reassert coal as a central pillar of America’s industrial and technological might.

Reclaiming Coal as a Strategic Asset

With a stroke of the presidential pen, Trump is instructing the federal government to “get back in the business” of coal. The order designates coal as a critical mineral—an unprecedented move that places the black rock alongside lithium, cobalt, and rare earth elements typically associated with high-tech defense systems and EV batteries.

Coal, Trump argues, is more than a fossil fuel. It’s a national asset.

By restoring coal’s strategic status, the administration hopes to reverse decades of decline triggered by competition from cheaper natural gas, renewable energy sources, and strict environmental regulations. Since 2000, coal’s share of the electricity generation mix has plummeted from over 50% to just 15%. More than 770 coal-fired generating units have been shuttered. Trump is determined to halt that collapse—and potentially reverse it.

Powering America’s Data Centers with Domestic Coal

Artificial intelligence requires energy—and lots of it. Massive data centers are the engine rooms of the digital age, consuming power at an extraordinary rate. Trump’s bet is that America’s vast coal reserves can meet that demand while bolstering energy independence.

Speaking from the Oval Office on Monday, the President declared, “The U.S. is way ahead right now in the AI race with China. But we can’t win if we don’t have enough power. And we’re not going to rely on anyone else for that.”

In a sharp contrast to the tech industry's push for clean energy solutions like solar, wind, and nuclear, Trump is making the case that coal-fired electricity offers reliability and affordability—key pillars in the race to build and sustain an AI infrastructure that will dwarf today’s internet.

Reviving Federal Coal Leases and Ending Moratoriums

Trump’s executive order ends the back-and-forth leasing moratoriums imposed by prior administrations, particularly the freeze first enacted by former President Barack Obama. He is directing the Interior Department to prioritize new coal leases on federal land, a significant shift that could breathe new life into a struggling sector.

Coal companies currently hold only 279 federal leases—down sharply from nearly 500 just a few decades ago. Trump wants to see that number rise again. His order not only lifts restrictions but compels agencies to identify untapped coal reserves and expedite access to them.

Executives from Peabody Energy, Core Natural Resources, and Ramaco Resources will be in attendance when Trump signs the order at a high-profile event in the White House East Room. Their presence signals the coal industry’s eagerness to embrace this renewed federal backing.

The National Energy Dominance Council Takes Shape

As part of this broader initiative, Trump is launching the National Energy Dominance Council, chaired by Interior Secretary Doug Burgum. The Council’s mandate is clear: prioritize coal and other domestic energy sources as critical to national security.

One of its first actions will be to formalize coal’s designation as a critical mineral. Another may include extending the same designation to metallurgical coal used in steelmaking—a critical input for defense, construction, and automotive manufacturing.

This push aligns with a broader doctrine of economic nationalism, where energy independence is tied directly to technological leadership and geopolitical strength.

Rolling Back Environmental Roadblocks

The Environmental Protection Agency under Trump is already moving swiftly to dismantle regulations that critics say have “waged war” on coal. That includes reviewing limits on mercury emissions and potentially relaxing CO2 restrictions on existing plants.

Further, agencies will be required to rescind any federal policies that encourage transitioning away from coal. The message from the White House is unambiguous: Coal is back, and it’s a central part of America’s energy future.

While environmental advocates decry the move as a step backward in the fight against climate change, Trump argues it’s a necessary step forward for American competitiveness and energy security.

Pushing American Coal to the World Stage

Trump’s coal revival doesn’t stop at domestic borders. The order includes language instructing federal agencies to promote coal exports and associated technologies. The administration aims to strike new deals with global partners, encouraging them to buy U.S. coal through purchase agreements.

This mirrors Trump's recent tariff blitz on U.S. trading partners and broader push to sell more American energy abroad. He envisions coal not just powering American AI but lighting up foreign grids and factories as well.

The Geopolitical Stakes of Energy and AI

At the heart of Trump’s order is a deeper, strategic calculation: The nation that controls the energy behind AI controls the future. With China racing to catch up in machine learning, autonomous weapons, and quantum computing, the stakes couldn’t be higher.

To Trump, coal offers a domestic, scalable solution to ensure America’s data centers never go dark. It’s a bet that the rest of the world will also look to America—not just for cutting-edge chips and AI software—but for the raw power to run it all.

Critics may scoff at coal’s resurgence. But Trump is wagering that in the new age of AI, old power can still lead the charge.

Conclusion

President Trump’s executive order to boost coal in the name of AI dominance marks a dramatic pivot in U.S. energy strategy. By elevating coal to critical mineral status, unlocking federal leases, and aligning energy policy with national security imperatives, Trump is making a bold play to secure America’s place at the forefront of the AI revolution.

Whether this bet pays off depends on how quickly the coal industry can respond, how tech giants react, and whether public perception of coal can shift in the face of environmental and economic headwinds. But one thing is certain—Trump has no intention of letting America lose the AI race because of a power shortage.

Donald Trump

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