ENERGY DEPARTMENT TO INVEST $350 MILLION TO BUILD, MODERNIZE, AND RESTART COAL POWER PLANTS
WASHINGTON—The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced the selection of four coal modernization and reliability projects to strengthen coal-based generation, grid reliability, and strategic energy infrastructure. The selected projects will expand and reinvigorate America’s coal fleet through targeted upgrades that increase efficiency, extend plant life, and support reliable baseload power generation.
“American coal miners remain essential to American energy dominance,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright. "Unfortunately, previous leaders launched relentless attacks on U.S. coal workers and industry, threatening grid reliability and driving energy prices higher for the American people. Thanks to President Trump, we are not only stopping the premature closure of our coal plants, but also taking steps to expand and modernize existing coal infrastructure. These actions will help ensure affordable, reliable, and secure energy access for decades to come.”
“Affordable, reliable energy is the foundation of human prosperity and economic growth,” said DOE Under Secretary of Energy Kyle Haustveit. “These investments will help unleash America's coal miners so they can continue delivering the energy our nation needs to keep the lights on and power the future. Rest assured, coal will play a critical role in our nation's long-term energy security.”
The four projects selected under DOE’s “Restoring Reliability: Coal Recommissioning and Modernization" initiative will receive up to $350 million to expand and reinvigorate America’s coal fleet through targeted upgrades that increase efficiency, extend plant life, and add dependable capacity. Combined, these projects could add or preserve approximately 3,565 megawatts (MW) of coal-fired generation capacity—enough electricity to serve roughly three million U.S. households each year:
- Two projects in Anchorage, Alaska, and Mt. Storm, West Virginia, are planning new coal-fired power plants with a combined capacity of 2,850 MW.
- One project in Guayama, Puerto Rico, will retrofit and modernize an existing 510-MW coal-fired plant.
- One project in Cumberland, Maryland, plans to recommission a 205-MW coal facility that ceased operations in 2024.
DOE has committed $525 million to the overall funding opportunity, including $175 million for six previously announced projects to upgrade existing coal facilities.
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