Trump Invests in Expensive, Dirty Energy Production While Undermining Most Cost-Efficient Methods

Imagine the most costly and polluting action the United States could possibly take. And yes, here it is, Trump’s latest energy insanity:  spending hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars to require that dirty and expensive coal plants keep operating past their planned retirement dates.

Last week, Donald Trump and three of his cabinet members announced that he would use presidential powers to route $700 million toward requiring 13 coal power plants nationwide to continue operating past their scheduled retirement dates. Additionally, this move would reopen another closed coal power plant in Maryland, build two new coal power plants in Alaska and West Virginia, and open a new coal export terminal – despite local objections – in Oakland, California. Trump is using an antiquated act from the cold-war era to make it happen.

Higher Bills, Dirtier Air

The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) called it “a stunning waste of taxpayer funds for a fuel that has been on decline for two decades. Because coal is uncompetitive economically, no new [US] plant has been built since 2013, and coal’s share of electricity production dropped from more than half two decades ago to just 16 percent today. Americans have already spent an extra $336 million on six coal plants that the U.S. Department of Energy forced to stay open since last May.” 

“What’s next, a taxpayer bailout to build new phone booths?” asked Kit Kennedy, NRDC managing director for power. “This is going to mean higher bills and dirtier air. What a waste. Propping up coal billionaires with taxpayer money is one more way for the Trump administration to put polluters first and put the rest of us at risk.”

Coal Hurts NC Workers, Communities, Families

“There’s nothing beautiful or great about wasting hundreds of millions more of taxpayer dollars on dirty, dangerous coal. Coal has been on the way out for years because of its high cost to our health and the economy, while cheaper, cleaner options are available and being deployed,” said Matthew Davis, former EPA scientist and current League of Conservation Voters (LCV) Vice President of Federal Policy. “Coal also hurts the workers, communities, and families who are already paying the high costs of Trump’s reckless energy, labor, and environmental policies the most. While Trump continues to raise costs for families and give handouts to his Big Polluter CEO and billionaire friends, he wants taxpayers to pay the price with their health and their wallets.” 

Coal plants slated for retirement in North Carolina would be among those subsidized to stay open under Trump’s plan. 

What Can We Do?

We’re working to help folks across the state lower their energy bills and lower their emissions. Learn more about that work here. We’re also working to elect environmental champions who will fight for a clean, affordable, and just energy future. 

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