House committee to revive National Coal Council amid Iran tensions

The House Energy and Commerce Committee is making moves to revive the National Coal Council and support America’s clean coal industry, in line with President Donald Trump’s vision for energy independence. The committee is set to pass legislation to reestablish the council, which was effectively canceled by the Biden administration.

Committee Chairman Brett Guthrie, R-Ky., believes that the National Coal Council is essential for advancing lower-emissions technology and ensuring energy security in a time of uncertainty in the Middle East. Guthrie emphasized the importance of protecting American families and businesses by promoting the production of baseload American energy.

Rep. Michael Rulli, R-Ohio, and Rep. Riley Moore, R-W.V., are leading the effort to bring back the National Coal Council, which was disbanded in 2021 after the Biden administration allowed its charter to lapse. Rulli criticized the Biden administration for its deliberate efforts to undermine the coal industry and make America dependent on foreign energy.

The National Coal Council, originally formed in the 1980s, has been a key advisory body guiding the government on coal market and technologies through multiple administrations. Its revival is seen as crucial for supporting domestic coal power, which sustains hundreds of thousands of jobs in states like Kentucky, Ohio, and West Virginia.

President Trump has emphasized the importance of coal in achieving energy dominance, reindustrializing the heartland, and winning the AI arms race. The legislation to revive the National Coal Council aligns with Trump’s Executive Order focusing on clean coal and aims to meet the increasing demand for electricity driven by the growth of AI data centers.

Proponents of the bill hope that restoring the National Coal Council will defend the energy backbone of the country and prevent the left from shutting down the coal industry for good. Rulli stressed the significance of coal in driving Ohio’s manufacturing sector and providing good-paying jobs in his district.

The move to revive the National Coal Council signifies a bipartisan effort to support America’s clean coal industry and ensure energy security for the nation. The legislation is expected to pass the House and contribute to the country’s energy independence and economic growth.