Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives President and CEO, Craig Grooms, attended a White House event where President Trump signed four new executive orders aimed at supporting the coal industry and electric cooperatives. Grooms, along with other cooperative leaders, the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association's (NRECA) CEO Jim Matheson, and several coal miners, witnessed the signing.
The executive orders intend to remove barriers and are centered on reinvigorating America's coal industry, lifting Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) restrictions on coal plants, enhancing the reliability and security of the U.S. electric grid, and protecting American energy from state interference. These are part of the administration's broader energy strategy.
President Trump expressed the necessity of a reliable domestic energy supply, linking it to national security and economic stability. Craig Grooms commented, "Ohio's electric cooperatives and the 1-million people they serve, depend on Buckeye Power to deliver reliable, affordable electricity-especially during Ohio's cold winters and hot summers. Coal-fired power generation is at the core of keeping that promise."
Tony Campbell, CEO of East Kentucky Power Cooperative, also expressed gratitude to President Trump, stressing the importance of coal plants for ensuring a dependable electricity supply. Campbell noted, "America must keep coal plants open and running to ensure reliable electricity when we need it most."
Jim Matheson, NRECA CEO, highlighted the administration's effort to maintain a reliable power supply amid growing electricity demand. He said, "President Trump and his National Energy Dominance Council are making good on their commitment to pursue a pro-energy policy agenda that prioritizes reliable power."
Electric cooperatives own approximately 79 coal units with a total capacity of about 21 gigawatts. However, some units are scheduled for retirement in the coming years. Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives owns the Cardinal Plant in Brilliant, Ohio, which significantly contributes to the state’s electricity supply.
The administration's actions and the reactions of various cooperative leaders underscore the ongoing debate about the role of coal in America's energy future.