White House signs executive orders to boost coal industry

Key Takeaways

On April 8, President Trump signed four executive orders (EOs) focused on the U.S. coal industry, aligning with the Administration’s “Unleashing American Energy” EO signed in January 2025. 

The EOs seek increase the affordability and reliability of the nation’s energy supply while revisiting regulatory frameworks through rolling back environmental regulations, increasing domestic coal production and providing targeted federal support to coal-producing regions.

Key details for local governments to know

Deregulation and permitting reform:

• Designates coal as a “mineral” under previous EO 14241 to expedite permitting and production processes
• Directs agencies to revise or rescind regulations that undermine coal investments and apply National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) categorical exclusions to speed up permitting for coal production
• Exempts coal-fired power plants from a 2024 EPA final rule that tightened the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards, delaying enforcement from July 2027 to July 2029

Federal land usage: 

• Calls for a federal assessment of coal resources and reserves on public lands
• Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to prioritize coal leasing on public lands, utilizing emergency authorities and expedited environmental reviews if applicable
• Directs the Secretary of the Interior to end the Jewell Moratorium that prevents new federal coal leases

Federal infrastructure funding:

• Directs the Department of Energy to utilize all available funding mechanisms to accelerate coal technology deployment
• Directs the Department of Energy to identify regions where coal-powered infrastructure is available and suitable for potential AI data centers 

State and local preemption:

• Directs the U.S. Attorney General to review state and local laws that inhibit domestic energy production
• Seeks to halt all state and local laws addressing climate change, environmental justice, or carbon pricing as potential impediments to domestic energy development

Impact on counties

Counties play a vital role in managing both the opportunities and challenges tied to shifts in the energy landscape in coal-producing regions across the country. As energy policies continue to evolve, counties are focused on strengthening local economies and ensuring long-term community resilience.

Through initiatives like Building Resilient Economies in Coal Communities (BRECC), NACo works with local leaders to attract investment, develop workforce strategies and diversify local economies in coal communities.

NACo supports responsible energy development to ensure reliable and affordable energy from all sources. NACo urges the federal government to partner with counties to protect local authority and decision-making on energy production matters.

View the executive orders here:

Reinvigorating America’s Beautiful Clean Coal Industry and Amending Executive Order 14241

Strengthening the Reliability and Security of the United States Electric Grid

Protecting American Energy from State Overreach

Regulatory Relief for Certain Stationary Sources to Promote American Energy