Cheyenne, Wyo. – Wyoming political leaders are reacting to President Trump's executive order to bolster the country's declining coal industry, relaxing restrictions on coal mining, leasing and exports.
At the request of President Donald Trump, Governor Mark Gordon joined the nation's Chief Executive, Cabinet Secretaries Doug Burgum and Chris Wright, Wyoming's Congressional Delegation, and energy industry leaders in the East Room of the White House today for the signing. The Cowboy State is the nation's top coal producer.
"This is a great day for Wyoming coal," Governor Gordon said. "We produce more coal than any other state in the nation. These Executive Orders will be impactful for our state's coal industry and will help ensure Wyoming coal is available to help meet our nation's growing energy demand. I thank President Trump for his work in freeing our country from the unnecessarily burdensome regulations imposed on the coal industry by the Biden Administration."
Governor Gordon noted that the coal industry supports approximately 5000 direct jobs in Wyoming, and that the state supplies coal for electricity for almost 50% of the mainland United States. The actions taken by President Trump will help preserve those jobs and reflect a commitment to domestic energy development, Governor Gordon said.
"While the EOs are a great first step, the real focus must not only be extending the life of coal-fired generating plants nearing retirement, but to actually pave the way to building new power plants," Governor Gordon added. "These are essential to our future. Wyoming is ready to lead the way and be a partner in that process."
Over the past 3 years, 17 power plants in 11 states have announced closure deferrals. In 2024, these 17 power plants consumed 30.5 million tons of Wyoming coal, with the state collecting more than $90 million in revenue in royalties.
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Rep. Harriet Hageman, Sen. John Barrasso, and Sen. Cynthia Lummis also weighed in on the order.
"Coal is the energy of the future – Wyoming understands that, and so does President Trump. This is yet another promise made and delivered from President Trump, and one which rightly recognizes that coal is key to powering the great American comeback. Decades of dystopian environmental policies manifested in the Obama and Biden presidencies, the Inflation Reduction Act, and more, all designed to shutter Wyoming and decrease the affordability and reliability of American power. I do not believe that the role of the federal government is to force despair on its people, and neither does President Trump. Today is a win for Wyoming and a win for America," said Rep. Hageman.
"I am thrilled that President Trump is reversing the failed energy policies of the Biden administration and officially lifting this ridiculous moratorium on federal coal leasing," said Sen. Lummis. "The previous administration's anti-science, anti-energy, anti-Wyoming policies cost good paying jobs, increased energy costs, and played into the hands of America's adversaries. President Trump knows that increased American energy is a strength, not a weakness. As America's leading coal-producing state, Wyoming stands ready and able to support President Trump's initiative to expand and Unleash American Energy."
"America has more coal than any other country in the world. Coal is one of the most affordable, reliable, and abundant sources of energy on the planet. In America, it is also much cleaner than ever before. Wyoming's Powder River Basin produces the cleanest-burning coal in the world. Nearly half of all coal produced in America comes from the Powder River Basin in Montana and Wyoming. Wyoming's energy warriors will lead the way," said Sen. Barrasso.
