Coal: The Backbone of American Energy and Prosperity
For more than a century, coal has stood as a cornerstone of American industry, powering homes, factories, and communities across the heartland. It has been the steady hand behind progress—providing reliable, affordable energy when it was needed most. Even as the nation has evolved, coal remains a vital part of the energy landscape, supporting over 400,000 jobs and contributing $300 billion annually to the national economy. These are not abstract numbers; they represent real families, local schools, and rural towns that depend on the stability coal brings.
Coal miners earn average wages of $90,000 a year—well above the national average—and many of these workers are second- and third-generation laborers who have built lives rooted in hard work, integrity, and pride in their craft. Their dedication sustains small towns, funds local churches, and supports public services that keep communities strong. These are not jobs of the past; they are jobs of enduring value, and they deserve to be protected.
Nearly one-third of the nation’s electricity still comes from coal, providing consistent baseload power that keeps the lights on during storms, heatwaves, and grid stress. Unlike intermittent sources that depend on sunlight or wind, coal delivers energy when it’s needed, not just when it’s convenient. This reliability is not a luxury—it is a necessity for national security and economic continuity.
The coal industry has long faced political headwinds, with regulations designed more to marginalize than to manage. Yet, under a leadership committed to American energy independence, the sector has seen a resurgence. Executive actions have rolled back overreach, restored common sense to environmental policy, and reaffirmed the nation’s right to use its abundant natural resources responsibly. This is not about nostalgia—it is about returning to sound governance and economic realism.
To ensure this progress is lasting, Congress must act to codify these reforms into law. The creation of the America’s Coal Associations—a unified network of state-level coal advocacy groups—marks a new chapter in organized, principled defense of a national resource. This coalition will work in statehouses, media outlets, and legislative chambers to promote truth over ideology and facts over fear. Their mission is not to oppose change, but to ensure that change does not come at the cost of American self-reliance.
Coal is more than a fuel; it is a symbol of what America has always stood for—diligence, resilience, and the ability to build something lasting from raw materials and hard work. Abandoning coal not only risks higher energy costs and weakened manufacturing but also weakens the very fabric of rural life. When energy prices rise, so do the costs of food, transportation, and housing. When power becomes unreliable, so does economic growth.
There is no contradiction between progress and tradition. We can honor the past while building a better future. That future includes cleaner coal technologies, improved emissions controls, and responsible stewardship of natural resources. The path forward is not to discard coal, but to modernize it, regulate it fairly, and support it with policies that reflect national interest rather than global trends.
True strength lies not in chasing fleeting fads, but in standing firm on what has sustained the nation for generations. The American people deserve an energy policy that values their livelihoods, respects their communities, and protects their freedom. Coal remains central to that vision.
Let us not confuse innovation with rejection. Let us not mistake idealism for realism. The future of America’s energy is not found in surrendering our resources to ideology, but in wisely using them to strengthen our economy, defend our sovereignty, and lift up our people. With unity, responsibility, and a clear-eyed view of our nation’s needs, coal will continue to power America’s enduring promise.
Published: 11/9/2025
