Policy Changes and Industry Decline
issued executive orders to revitalize the coal industry, allowing mining on federal land and granting older coal-fired plants exemptions from emissions reductions.
Despite these efforts, the coal industry has seen a significant decline in production and employment over the decades, attributed to the shift towards renewable energy and natural gas.
MSHA Office Closures and Safety Concerns
The Trump administration, under 's efficiency team, proposed closing 34 Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) offices across 19 states, potentially impacting mine safety inspections.
Despite the reduction in MSHA's footprint, coal employment saw a temporary rebound post-pandemic, and mining fatalities have decreased significantly over the past four decades.