US Interior Department Plans 13 Million Acres Coal Leasing Near National Parks

The Trump administration is advancing a significant expansion of coal mining on federal lands by opening 13 million acres for coal leasing and allocating $625 million to modernize coal-fired power plants. This initiative follows executive orders aimed at reversing the decline of the U.S. coal industry, supporting continued operation of coal plants amid rising electricity demand driven by data centers, AI, and electric vehicles. The Interior Department's plan includes lands near national parks in states like North Dakota, Montana, Utah, Wyoming, and Alabama, with the Bureau of Land Management actively offering new coal leases following the lifting of a previous moratorium. Tax reductions and streamlined federal reviews are intended to increase coal competitiveness globally. While proponents argue this will create jobs and support energy dominance, environmental groups criticize the move as a setback for renewables and carbon emission reduction efforts. Analysts remain skeptical about coal’s long-term viability given economic shifts favoring cleaner energy sources, despite a potential short-term boost from regulatory relief.