WASHINGTON, D.C. February 11, 2026 – President Donald Trump has signed a new Executive Order directing the Department of Defense (formerly referred to as the Department of War in the announcement) to prioritize long-term Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) with America’s coal fleet. The move aims to guarantee reliable, on-demand baseload electricity for military installations and critical defense facilities.
The official White House Rapid Response account (@RapidResponse47) announced the development late Wednesday, stating:
“.@POTUS signs an Executive Order directing the Department of War to prioritize long-term Power Purchase Agreements with America’s beautiful, clean coal fleet to ensure military installations and critical defense facilities have uninterrupted, on-demand baseload power.”
The announcement was accompanied by a short video clip, likely showing the signing ceremony or related remarks from the President.
The policy frames coal as an essential component of national and energy security, emphasizing its ability to provide consistent, dispatchable power — unlike intermittent renewable sources. Supporters argue that stable electricity is vital for defense operations, including command centers, weapons systems testing, cybersecurity infrastructure, and other mission-critical activities that cannot tolerate blackouts or fluctuations.
Reactions on social media were swift and polarized. Proponents celebrated the focus on domestic energy resources and job preservation in coal-producing regions, with comments such as:
– “Energy security is national security. Strong grid, strong military, strong America.”
– “Strong military bases need reliable power, not green fantasies.”
– “Coal miners!! Coal Energy!! We voted for this.”
Critics questioned the emphasis on coal and raised concerns about environmental implications or suggested it reflected outdated priorities.
The Executive Order aligns with the administration’s broader “America First” energy agenda, which has previously highlighted fossil fuels, deregulation, and reducing reliance on foreign energy supplies. Coal industry advocates have long maintained that modern “clean coal” technologies can mitigate emissions while preserving fuel’s reliability advantages.
No immediate details were released regarding the specific duration of the PPAs, targeted coal facilities, or implementation timeline. The Department of Defense and White House are expected to provide further guidance in the coming days.
This development comes amid ongoing debates over U.S. energy policy, grid resilience, and the balance between energy independence, affordability, and environmental goals.
Life News Agency will continue to monitor updates on this Executive Order and its implications for national defense and the energy sector.
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