WEST VIRGINIA (SWVO) – President Donald Trump on Thursday announced a nearly $700 million federal investment in coal plants and energy infrastructure, including funding for a new coal-fired power plant in West Virginia.
The plan, unveiled Thursday during a White House event titled “Beautiful, Clean Coal,” would use the Defense Production Act to direct federal funding toward coal-related projects across the country.
$425 million would be used to support 13 existing coal plants in 10 states, including West Virginia.
The proposal also includes nearly $200 million in U.S. Department of Energy grants to help build two new coal plants – one in Alaska and one in West Virginia – and restart a coal plant in Maryland.
The West Virginia facility would be among the first new coal plants constructed in the United States since 2013.
The White House says the initiative is expected to create thousands of jobs for coal miners, railroad workers, engineers and construction workers while helping meet growing electricity demand.
The announcement comes as the Trump administration continues efforts to expand domestic fossil fuel production and extend the operation of existing coal-fired power plants.
Coal remains an important industry in West Virginia, one of the nation’s leading coal-producing states.
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