Steve Marshall joins AGs pushing to revitalize coal industry to power America’s energy grid

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall recently signed on to a letter with several other state AGs from across the country calling for Interior Secretary Doug Burgum to prioritize revitalizing America’s coal industry and follow President Donald Trump’s energy agenda.

The officials believe that strengthening the coal industry across the country could play a major role in powering the national power grid going forward into the future.

“We write in support of your recent comments that America has “got to keep every coal plant open” and “bring … back” “units at a coal plant that have been shut down,” wrote the group. “We strongly endorse your suggestion that President Trump should restart any recently shuttered plants as part of the national energy emergency declaration. We are ecstatic that President Trump announced just days ago that he is ‘authorizing [his] Administration to immediately begin producing Energy with BEAUTIFUL, CLEAN COAL.’ America needs coal power to succeed.”

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“Harnessing fossil fuel energy, including coal-fired power is the only way for America to confront 21st Century challenges.”

In a separate statement, Marshall called coal “critical” to the future of U.S. energy.

“America’s energy crisis is real, and we are in a difficult position. It provides the reliability, baseload capacity, and affordable energy necessary to fuel our nation’s growth,” said Marshall. “From artificial intelligence to manufacturing, we need coal-fired power to remain globally competitive, support industries like steel and aluminum, and protect our national security. Without coal, we risk losing our technological edge and the prosperity that comes with it. It’s time to unleash the power of American coal and ensure energy security for the future of our country.”

Coal is the most abundant source of electricity worldwide and provides more than 36% of the world’s electricity. In 2023, the electric power sector accounted for 90.9% of the total coal consumed in the US.

Coal-fired power plants burn bituminous, subbituminous, or lignite coal to produce electricity. 

Austen Shipley is the News Director for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @ShipleyAusten