Trump Orders Military to Prioritize Coal for National Security

This order aims to make military bases more energy-resilient by locking in long-term coal power contracts. The idea is that coal can be stored on-site and doesn't depend on weather, so bases stay powered during emergencies or wartime. However, the actual benefit to service members is indirect — it's about the electricity powering their installations, not their personal lives. Whether this truly improves reliability over other backup options (like natural gas or battery storage) is debatable.

Veterans aren't directly affected by this order, but those living near military installations or working in defense-related industries could see indirect effects. If coal plants near bases stay open longer because of these contracts, that could affect local air quality in communities where many veterans live. The impact is very indirect and uncertain.

Federal employees at the Department of Defense (now referred to as the Department of War) and the Department of Energy will be tasked with negotiating and managing new coal power purchase agreements. This creates additional procurement work but doesn't fundamentally change their jobs or benefits. The shift in department naming convention may have cultural significance within the workforce.

Small businesses in the coal industry — mining operations, equipment suppliers, transportation companies — could benefit from new long-term government contracts to supply coal to military installations. These power purchase agreements provide a reliable customer (the federal government) that can help keep coal operations financially viable. However, the scale of these contracts compared to the overall coal market is likely modest.