Republicans Rally to Revive Trump's 'Beautiful Clean Coal Industry' After Biden Shutdown

In a bold move to resurrect what President Donald Trump once called America’s beautiful clean coal industry, the House Energy and Commerce Committee is pushing forward legislation to revive the National Coal Council. This advisory body, which was effectively dismantled under the Biden administration, is set to make a comeback with strong support from key Republican lawmakers.

Under the leadership of Chairman Brett Guthrie (R-Ky.), alongside Reps. Michael Rulli (R-Ohio) and Riley Moore (R-W.V.), the bill is expected to clear the committee and has a promising shot at passing the full House. The council, originally established in the 1980s, played a critical role in advancing lower-emission technologies and guiding federal policy on coal markets. Its revival is seen as a direct counter to what proponents call a deliberate attempt by the previous administration to cripple the industry, slash jobs, and increase reliance on foreign energy sources.

Energy security is at the heart of this push. With tensions simmering in the Middle East and global competitors ramping up coal production to fuel their economies, lawmakers argue that America can’t afford to lag behind. Guthrie emphasized that domestic energy production is not just about powering homes—it’s about safeguarding national security and insulating the U.S. from adversarial nations. Coal, a backbone of baseload power, supports hundreds of thousands of jobs in states like Kentucky, Ohio, and West Virginia, where communities have long depended on the industry.

Beyond security, the legislation aligns with broader goals, including meeting the skyrocketing electricity demands of AI data centers and bringing manufacturing back to American soil. As Rep. Moore noted, President Trump sees coal as a linchpin for energy dominance and reindustrializing the heartland. This bill also ties into Trump’s executive order on clean coal, aiming to position the industry as a vital player in the nation’s economic future.

Critics of the Biden-era policies argue that letting the council’s charter lapse was no oversight—it was a calculated strike against an industry that has powered America for generations. As Rep. Rulli put it, coal is the energy backbone of the country, and its workers built the nation. The fight to restore the National Coal Council isn’t just about policy; it’s about preserving a way of life and ensuring America doesn’t lose ground in the global energy race.