Kentucky knows energy. Our families, businesses, and communities have relied on coal to produce the dispatchable electricity that has powered everything from front porch lights to factory floors across the Bluegrass State. But in recent years, federal policies have unfortunately treated Kentucky’s greatest energy assets like a liability, forcing premature coal plant retirements, aggressively tightening regulations, and jeopardizing grid reliability in pursuit of an unrealistic energy agenda.
That changed this month.
In a landmark moment for coal country, President Trump signed a series of executive orders to reverse course and restore balance to America’s energy policy. As Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman outlined in a powerful column for the Northern Kentucky Tribune, this is more than politics—it’s survival for an industry that remains important for Kentucky. These executive actions represent a clear-eyed recognition of coal’s critical role in keeping the lights on and the economy moving.
At Dependable Power First Kentucky, we applaud some of these moves as a continued shift in direction for our energy future. The President’s actions reaffirm that coal remains a foundational pillar of Kentucky’s “all-the-above” energy grid. It is affordable. It is reliable. And it is indispensable, especially in an era of skyrocketing energy demand fueled by artificial intelligence, data centers, and domestic manufacturing.
Attorney General Coleman, alongside West Virginia Attorney General J.B. McCuskey, underscored what’s at stake: misguided federal overreach has created a hostile environment for baseload generation sources. These pressures not only threaten jobs and livelihoods, but they also put Kentucky’s energy future on the chopping block.
This isn’t about turning back the clock – it’s about facing reality. Energy demand is spiking. Rolling blackouts are becoming more common. And despite all the headlines, renewables alone cannot deliver the power Kentucky needs to grow, compete, and thrive.
We believe in energy diversity. But we also believe in dependability. Right now, the only proven way to bridge the growing gap between demand and supply is by protecting and strengthening our traditional energy backbone. That’s why Attorney General Coleman is right: coal has been central to our past, and with the right policies, it can power our future. But it’s just the beginning.
Kentucky must continue to lead the charge through sound policy, strong advocacy, and a united front across the public and private sectors. At Dependable Power First Kentucky, we remain committed to working with policymakers at every level to protect reliable, affordable electricity for our state. Because at the end of the day, keeping the lights on isn’t partisan. It’s an issue that impacts all of us.
