Trump bets on coal as Kentucky’s power edge fades
President Donald Trump signed new executive orders to keep coal plants running, but experts say Kentucky’s rising power costs could hurt economic growth unless the state diversifies its energy sources.
Liam Niemeyer reports for Kentucky Lantern.
In short:
- Kentucky once boasted the cheapest electricity in the U.S. thanks to coal, but now ranks 12th as aging coal plants and rising maintenance costs drive up power prices.
- President Trump signed orders to support coal-fired power, echoing a 2023 Kentucky law that makes it harder to shut down such plants, though energy analysts say the move is unlikely to reverse coal’s long-term decline.
- While other coal-heavy states like Wyoming and North Dakota have added wind and solar to reduce costs, Kentucky’s lack of diversification has left it vulnerable to market and regulatory pressures.
Key quote:
“Doubling down on coal is not going to help the situation.”
— Michelle Solomon, energy analyst at Energy Innovation Policy and Technology
Why this matters:
Kentucky built its modern economy on coal, drawing heavy industry with promises of abundant, low-cost power. For decades, that strategy paid off. But now, as coal becomes less competitive and more expensive to maintain, the very foundation of Kentucky’s energy economy is starting to crack. The state still leans heavily on coal, but aging infrastructure, environmental regulations, and market shifts mean that coal is no longer the bargain it once was. Other states have embraced natural gas and renewables, driving down costs while also curbing emissions. Kentucky’s resistance to change is leaving it with rising utility prices, which disproportionately impact low-income residents and make manufacturers question their future in the state.
Related: Trump moves to boost coal power despite industry decline
