08 April 2025 - Trump just lit a fire under the coal industry—literally. In a bold executive order, he's moving to bring coal back to the center of America's energy strategy, betting big on the power demands of the AI boom. Coal is being reclassified as a critical mineral, federal land is back on the table for new mining leases, and shuttered coal plants may soon roar back to life. Trump's team sees this as an energy security play tied directly to America's lead in AI—powering data centers, steel production, and industrial growth with what he calls “America's most reliable energy source.” Whether that vision holds up in today's market is a different story.

Names like Peabody Energy (BTU, Financial), Core Natural Resources (CNR, Financial), and Ramaco Resources (METC, Financial) are now in the spotlight. Trump's energy dominance plan includes reopening export channels and putting U.S. coal tech on the global sales rack. At the same time, Energy Secretary Chris Wright is weighing whether coal used for steelmaking should get even more preferential treatment. The push comes just as projections show U.S. power demand could jump 55% over the next 20 years, driven by AI data centers and electrification. But there's tension. While Trump pitches coal as cheap and reliable, most of Big Tech has already gone all-in on renewables and nuclear for their long-term infrastructure.

For investors, this is a clear short-term catalyst for coal stocks—but it's not without risk. Regulatory battles, ESG headwinds, and rising competition from cheaper alternatives haven't gone away. The bigger question: will AI's power surge be coal's last hurrah or a full-blown comeback? Either way, the coal narrative just got a shot of adrenaline—and the market is paying attention.