Jakarta, TAMBANG - The United States (US) government plans to reactivate coal mines to meet the supply needs of coal-fired power plants (PLTU). This policy was announced after US President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Tuesday, April 8, 2025.

"Today we are taking a historic step to help American workers, miners, families and consumers," Trump said, quoted Thursday (10/4).

President Trump's move to restore the glory of domestic coal mining runs counter to the policies of previous US presidents, such as Joe Biden and Barack Obama, who focused more on the transition to clean and renewable energy.

President Trump explained that currently dormant coal mines would be reactivated to boost domestic production. If these mines are deemed unviable, the government will build new facilities from scratch.

"All the plants that have been closed will be reopened if they are modern enough. Or they will be demolished and new ones built. We will put the miners back to work," Trump explained.

"I've said I'm going to do this, and I've said it loud and clear. Now is the time to do it. We need it. I see the people behind me, and I don't want to wrestle with them," he said.

Coal-fired power plants now generate less than 20% of the total electricity in the United States, down from 50% in 2000. This decline is due to increased natural gas production through fracking and other drilling techniques, as well as the rapid growth of solar and wind energy, which has reduced reliance on coal.

According to a February 2025 report by The New York Times , the United States has shut down at least 780 coal-fired power plants (PLTU). The US had previously committed to transitioning to more environmentally friendly renewable energy and moving away from coal.

India currently ranks second in the world, after China, in coal production, imports, and consumption. Through 2024, India's coal consumption reached hundreds of millions of tons, with the majority used in the steel, cement, and coal-fired power generation sectors.

In the steel sector, coal consumption reached 116 million tons last year. Meanwhile, the cement industry relies on around 30 million tons annually. Coal-fired power plants remain the backbone of India's electricity supply, contributing the largest share to total national coal consumption.

India itself has significant coal reserves of 378 billion tonnes, making it one of the largest coal reserves in the world.