Trump to sign executive orders to boost coal industry

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump will sign executive orders on Tuesday aimed at boosting the nation’s coal industry, two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.

Trump, who campaigned on a promise to increase US energy production and has sought to roll back a range of energy and environmental regulations since taking office January 20, is scheduled to sign energy related orders at the White House at 3 pm (1900 GMT), the White House said.

Trump plans to sign several executive orders directing the Interior and Energy Departments to take actions to support the industry, according to a source briefed on the details of the event. Both sources requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly.

The actions will also include efforts to save coal plants at risk of retirement, the source said.

At the beginning of the century coal generated more than half of US power. Its share has sunk to less than 20 per cent, according to the Energy Information Administration.

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Trump has long criticized Democrats for targeting coal pollution in environmental regulations, and teased action to support the industry earlier this year.