The US Department of Energy convened the first meeting of the National Coal Council (NCC) on 15 January following US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright’s formal renewal of its charter, reversing the Biden administration’s 2021 termination of the council and reaffirming coal’s "essential role in America’s national and economic security".
The meeting marks the formal implementation of that decision, restoring the NCC as a key advisory body to inform coal policy, technology and market considerations, aligning with President Trump’s executive order ‘Renewing America’s Beautiful Clean Coal Industry’.
“For years, the Biden Administration waged war on American coal, shutting down coal plants prematurely, decimating American communities and workers, while also driving up energy prices,” said Wright.
“Coal remains a fundamental component of America’s energy strategy, providing essential energy for America’s infrastructure and industries,” said Assistant Secretary for the Office of Hydrocarbons and Geothermal Energy, Kyle Haustveit. “The National Coal Council’s expert recommendations will be instrumental toward our efforts to modernise and extend the life of our existing coal assets while also supporting the growth of new coal power generation, exports and product manufacturing.”
In the coming months, four regional coal workshops will be held "to gather industry input that will inform Department programmes and ensure they reflect market realities, workforce needs and technological progress".
During the meeting on 15 January, the NCC leadership was formally appointed. It is to be chaired by James Grech, president and CEO of prominent coal producer Peabody Energy.
