Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Reinvigorates America’s Beautiful Clean Coal Industry

April 8, 2025

Fact Sheets

View Original

Action Summary

Clean Coal Revitalization: President Trump signed an Executive Order aimed at reinvigorating America’s clean coal industry by designating coal as a “mineral” under Executive Order 14241.
Mining and Leasing Directives: Agencies are directed to identify coal resources on Federal lands, lift barriers to coal mining, and prioritize coal leasing, including the termination of the Jewell Moratorium.
Policy Rollbacks: The Order mandates rescinding any agency policies that steer the Nation away from coal production or favor alternative generation resources.
NEPA and Environmental Exclusions: The Council on Environmental Quality is instructed to help agencies adopt coal-related categorical exclusions under NEPA.
Economic and Export Focus: Efforts are set to promote coal technology exports, facilitate international offtake agreements, and accelerate domestic coal technology development.
Critical Material Consideration: The Secretary of Energy is tasked with determining if coal used in steel production qualifies as a “critical material” and “critical mineral” under the Energy Act of 2020.
Innovative Energy Uses: The Order proposes using coal to power new artificial intelligence (AI) data centers.
Broader Energy Strategy: This action emphasizes coal’s role in increasing domestic energy production, supporting job growth, lowering electricity costs, and stabilizing the grid, while reversing prior policies such as withdrawing from the Paris Climate Agreement, revoking Biden-era energy restrictions, terminating the Green New Deal, and expediting LNG export permits.

Risks & Considerations

The Executive Order’s emphasis on coal as a critical energy resource could lead to increased environmental scrutiny and potential backlash from environmental advocacy groups. This may affect Vanderbilt’s sustainability initiatives and partnerships.
There is a risk that the focus on coal could divert federal funding and resources away from renewable energy research, which could impact Vanderbilt’s research programs in sustainable energy and environmental sciences.
The prioritization of coal could lead to regulatory changes that affect energy costs and availability, potentially impacting operational costs for Vanderbilt University.
Vanderbilt may need to consider how these changes in energy policy could affect its long-term sustainability goals and commitments to reducing carbon emissions.

Impacted Programs

Vanderbilt’s School of Engineering may see increased demand for research and expertise in clean coal technology and energy efficiency, presenting opportunities for collaboration with federal agencies and the private sector.
The Vanderbilt Institute for Energy and Environment might need to adjust its research focus to align with the new energy priorities, potentially affecting ongoing projects and funding opportunities.
Environmental Science and Policy Programs at Vanderbilt could face challenges in maintaining funding and support for renewable energy research, necessitating strategic adjustments.
The Office of Sustainability may need to reevaluate its strategies and initiatives to align with the changing energy landscape and ensure continued progress towards sustainability goals.

Financial Impact

The reallocation of federal resources towards coal and away from renewable energy could impact Vanderbilt’s funding landscape, particularly for research in sustainable energy and environmental sciences.
Vanderbilt University might experience changes in its energy costs and availability, potentially affecting operational budgets and sustainability initiatives.
There may be increased opportunities for Vanderbilt to secure funding for research and development in clean coal technology and energy efficiency, particularly through collaborations with the Department of Energy and other federal agencies.
As coal becomes more prevalent in the energy mix, there could be a shift in the focus of energy-related research and partnerships at Vanderbilt, potentially affecting long-term strategic planning.

Relevance Score: 4 (The order presents a need for potential major changes or transformations of programs.)

Key Actions

Vanderbilt’s School of Engineering should explore research opportunities in clean coal technology and its applications in AI data processing. By aligning with federal priorities, the school can secure funding and contribute to advancements in energy-efficient technologies.
The Office of Federal Relations should monitor changes in energy policy and coal industry regulations to assess potential impacts on research funding and partnerships. Engaging with federal agencies can help Vanderbilt stay informed and adapt to policy shifts.
Vanderbilt’s Center for Environmental Management Studies should evaluate the environmental implications of increased coal production and usage. Conducting research on sustainable practices and mitigation strategies can position the center as a leader in environmental policy discussions.
The Department of Political Science should analyze the broader political and economic impacts of the executive order on energy policy. This research can provide valuable insights into the implications for national and international energy markets.
Vanderbilt’s Career Center should prepare students for potential job opportunities in the coal and energy sectors. By offering career counseling and industry connections, the center can help students navigate emerging job markets.

Opportunities

The executive order presents an opportunity for Vanderbilt’s School of Engineering to lead in the development of clean coal technologies. By collaborating with industry partners, the school can drive innovation and contribute to sustainable energy solutions.
Vanderbilt can capitalize on the focus on energy production by expanding its research initiatives in energy policy and technology. This could include interdisciplinary projects that address the economic, environmental, and social aspects of energy production.
The emphasis on coal as a critical material offers an opportunity for Vanderbilt’s Materials Science Department to engage in research on coal’s applications in manufacturing and technology. By exploring new uses for coal, the department can contribute to advancements in material science.
By engaging with policymakers and industry leaders, Vanderbilt can position itself as a thought leader in the national conversation on energy policy. Hosting conferences and public forums on the implications of energy policy changes can further establish Vanderbilt as a hub for innovative energy research and practice.

Relevance Score: 4 (The order presents the potential for major process changes required for Vanderbilt’s programs due to shifts in energy policy and research funding opportunities.)

Average Relevance Score: 3.2

Timeline for Implementation

N/A: No specific deadlines or timelines are provided within the directives.

Relevance Score: 1

Impacted Government Organizations

National Energy Dominance Council: The Order directs the Chair of this Council to designate coal as a “mineral” under Executive Order 14241, making coal eligible for benefits set by that EO.
Department of the Interior: The Secretary of the Interior is instructed to end the Jewell Moratorium, which paused coal leasing on Federal lands.
Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ): CEQ is tasked with assisting agencies in adopting coal-related categorical exclusions under NEPA.
Department of Energy: The Secretary of Energy is assigned the task of assessing whether coal in steel production qualifies as a “critical material” or “critical mineral” under the Energy Act of 2020.
Other Relevant Federal Agencies: Various agencies are directed to identify coal resources on Federal lands, lift barriers to coal mining, and rescind policies that transition away from coal production.

Relevance Score: 2 (Between 3 and 5 distinct agencies/groups are explicitly impacted by this order.)

Responsible Officials

Chair of the National Energy Dominance Council – Tasked with designating coal as a “mineral” under Executive Order 14241.
Relevant Agencies – Directed to identify coal resources on Federal lands, remove barriers to coal mining, and prioritize coal leasing, as well as to rescind policies that hinder coal production.
Secretary of the Interior – Required to acknowledge the end of the Jewell Moratorium, effectively reopening coal leasing on Federal lands.
Head of the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) – Charged with assisting agencies in adopting coal-related categorical exclusions under NEPA.
Secretary of Energy – Must determine if coal used in steel production qualifies as a “critical material/mineral” under the Energy Act of 2020, and to explore the use of coal for powering new AI data centers.

Relevance Score: 5 (Directives affect Cabinet-level and top agency officials with significant policymaking authority in national energy matters).