Reinvigorating America’s Beautiful Clean Coal Industry and Amending Executive Order 14241
Summary
This executive order aims to revitalize the American coal industry by reducing regulatory barriers, promoting coal utilization, and increasing exports. It designates coal as a "mineral" under Executive Order 14241, prioritizes coal leasing on federal lands, and directs agencies to rescind policies discouraging investment in coal. The order also focuses on using coal for steel production and powering AI data centers, while accelerating the development of coal technologies.
Expected Effects
The order will likely lead to increased coal production and consumption in the US. This could result in lower energy costs and job creation in the coal industry, but also increased environmental pollution and potential health risks.
Potential Benefits
- Increased domestic energy production and potential energy independence.
- Job creation in the coal industry and related sectors.
- Lower electricity costs due to increased coal supply.
- Support for industries reliant on coal, such as steel and AI data centers.
- Potential for increased exports of coal and coal technologies.
Potential Disadvantages
- Increased greenhouse gas emissions and contribution to climate change.
- Air and water pollution from coal mining and combustion.
- Potential health risks associated with coal pollution.
- Reduced investment in renewable energy sources.
- Potential conflicts with international agreements on climate change.
Constitutional Alignment
The executive order relies on the President's authority vested by the Constitution and laws of the United States. While the Constitution does not explicitly address energy policy, the order could be argued to fall under the Commerce Clause (Article I, Section 8) if it impacts interstate or international trade of coal. The order's potential impact on environmental regulations could raise questions related to the government's role in protecting public health and welfare.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).