The recent executive actions by President Trump are set to significantly bolster the reliability of America’s electric grid, a critical infrastructure that has been under strain due to green energy policies that often overlook the practical energy needs of the country. Under the Biden administration, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) implemented rules designed to phase out dependable coal-fired power plants and limit the use of natural gas plants, which together generate 60% of the nation’s electricity. These policies, while aimed at reducing emissions, have had the unintended consequences of raising power bills and costing jobs.
The electric grid is a complex network of power plants, transmission lines, substations, and distribution lines. When this grid fails, the impacts are immediate and far-reaching. Families and businesses are left without power, leading to halted production, spoiled goods, and darkened homes. We’ve already witnessed how energy shortfalls translate into higher electric bills and force industries to scale back operations during peak demand periods. The economic fallout often hits hardest in communities that can least afford it, raising costs for working Americans and threatening jobs in energy-intensive sectors.
President Trump’s executive order mandates that federal agencies like the EPA rescind policies that push America away from coal-based electricity. This move is crucial because coal plants can reliably generate electricity around the clock and during extreme weather events, unlike renewables like wind and solar, which are intermittent and weather-dependent. The order also provides relief from specific EPA rules that would have led to the premature shutdown of coal plants, which are vital for maintaining grid stability.
These actions are part of a broader strategy by the Trump administration to ensure that environmental regulations do not do more harm than good. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin has described one of the EPA’s new policies as “driving a dagger straight into the heart of the climate change religion to drive down cost of living for American families, unleash American energy, bring auto jobs back to the U.S. and more.” This approach is a response to warnings from experts and grid operators who have been raising alarms about the reliability crisis facing the U.S. grid. The North American Electric Reliability Corporation, responsible for grid reliability in the U.S. and parts of Canada and Mexico, recently warned that two-thirds of the U.S. is at risk of electricity shortages over the next five years. Many of these experts have blamed EPA rules for undermining grid reliability.
To prevent electricity shortages, America needs a diverse mix of energy sources, including coal. Coal-fired power plants, with their onsite fuel stockpiles and consistent output, are essential for grid reliability. They have proven their worth during winter storms and other extreme weather events when other sources have failed. Coal’s reliability serves as an insurance policy for our economy, especially with the sudden growth in nationwide electricity demand.
President Trump’s actions to preserve America’s coal industry present an opportunity to realign environmental goals with practical realities. A balanced energy strategy should embrace all of America’s energy resources: renewable power, coal, natural gas, nuclear, and hydropower. Dependable and affordable electricity sources must form the backbone of our electric grid. Sensible policies can keep the lights on, promote environmental progress, and drive economic growth and national security. It’s encouraging to see the EPA adopting a more pragmatic approach, one that prioritizes the reliability and affordability of the electric grid while also considering environmental impacts. This shift could spark a much-needed debate about the true costs and benefits of our energy policies, challenging the norms that have often prioritized ideology over practicality. As the energy sector evolves, these actions could shape a more resilient and secure future for America’s electric grid.
