Earlier this month, President Donald Trump issued three Executive Orders aimed at enhancing the United States’ electric grid, revitalizing the coal industry, and eliminating unwarranted barriers to the development of domestic energy resources. These measures will benefit Kentucky by bolstering its coal sector, stimulating local economic growth, and maintaining a reliable electrical grid.
We’ve highlighted a few remarks from Kentucky leaders, including EKPC CEO Tony Campbell who spoke at the signing of the orders, in support of these actions:
- Kentucky Senate President Robert Stivers: “I’m encouraged by President Donald Trump’s executive order to expedite and streamline the permitting and processing of coal-fired plants in Kentucky once again. The incentive package now in place will allow Kentucky to take full advantage of an all-of-the-above energy approach once again and provide for Kentucky’s growing energy demands right here in the commonwealth.”
- East Kentucky Power Cooperative CEO Tony Campbell: “Affordable and reliable electricity is a cornerstone of our economy, especially in American manufacturing. However, too many government leaders have pushed policies that have made our electric grid significantly less reliable and our energy too expensive. That begins to change now.”
- Attorney General Russel Coleman: “For generations, coal has powered Kentucky to prosperity. After enduring years of assaults on our coal workers and their families, I’m grateful to have President Trump as an ally in the White House to support our Commonwealth’s reliable and affordable energy.”
- Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce Brett Guthrie (R-KY-2): This “executive order is an important step toward ensuring American energy dominance. As a baseload power source, coal provides reliable and affordable power for our communities, and it can help to power our AI future, too. Our coal industry supports hundreds of thousands of jobs and generates billions of dollars for our economy annually, and it does so in cleaner, safer ways than ever.”
- Kentucky State Representative Wade Williams (R-KY-4): “The coal miners of Hopkins County are the backbone of our local economy and represent the grit and hard work that America was built on. President Trump’s executive orders are restoring common sense and fairness to the regulatory process…By cutting unnecessary regulatory red tape and putting our workers first, this administration is putting forth reforms that give our miners a fighting chance at long-term job stability and reaffirm Kentucky’s role in keeping the lights on across America.”
- Kentucky State Senator Brandon Smith (R-KY-30): “Kentucky’s coal industry has powered this nation for more than a century, fueling our industrial rise. President Trump’s action restores balance, and more importantly, restores hope for Kentucky’s energy workforce. Just as our commonwealth powered America in the past, there is hope it will do so again.”
These comments underscore support for the Administration’s initiatives to overturn policies that undermine grid reliability and Kentucky’s economic growth.
