Trump Uses Emergency Powers to Keep Coal Plants Running, Raising Costs and Pollution

An Associated Press investigation details how President Donald Trump’s administration is using emergency authorities and regulatory rollbacks to halt the wave of U.S. coal‑plant retirements that was expected under Biden‑era plans and utility transition roadmaps. Officials have invoked emergency powers to keep at least five coal plants from closing, with one Michigan facility costing ratepayers about $135 million to operate for just seven extra months, while pouring millions in taxpayer funds into repairs and easing pollution limits so plants can avoid expensive upgrades. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum has stated the goal is '100% stay open, no more retirements,' as the White House argues coal is essential for grid reliability amid surging electricity demand from data centers, a claim many grid and health experts say discounts cheaper renewables and storage. The AP reports that dozens of plants collectively emit as much greenhouse gas pollution as 27 million cars and that delaying shutdowns risks dirtier air and more climate damage, even as public‑health studies continue to link coal‑plant emissions to thousands of premature deaths a year. On social media, the moves are being praised in some coal‑state and reliability circles but blasted by environmental and consumer advocates as a back‑door bailout that forces Americans to pay more for power while absorbing higher health risks.