Press Releases

LCV Statement on Executive Order for DOD to Source Energy from Coal Plants

Feb 11, 2026

Washington, D.C.– In response to Trump signing an executive order for the Department of Defense to source energy from expensive, dirty  coal plants, the League of Conservation Voters released the following statement from former EPA scientist and Vice President of Federal Policy, Matthew Davis:

“By directing the Department of Defense to enter contracts with dirty, expensive, and unreliable U.S. coal-fired power plants, the Trump administration risks further driving up energy prices for American families struggling to pay the bills. Coal power not only has one of the highest costs of any energy source, but also has the worst reliability record of any form of energy, with twice as many unplanned shutdowns and interruptions in generation as wind power. Instead of forcing the government to waste taxpayer dollars on dirty outdated coal, we should be focusing on increasing access to clean, reliable energy sources like wind and solar that are the fastest, cheapest way to deploy energy onto the grid. At a time of rising energy costs, the Trump administration is propping up costly, aging coal plants and forcing American taxpayers to foot the bill.”

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