This executive order is a slap in the face to anyone concerned with environmental sustainability or economic foresight. It’s like trying to resurrect Frankenstein’s monster—bringing back an outdated, environmentally destructive industry that should’ve been put out of its misery long ago.
Purpose and Policy:
The order claims to “secure America’s economic prosperity” by increasing domestic coal production, insisting on its necessity for national security and energy independence. This is sheer lunacy when renewable energy sources are more abundant, cleaner, and economically viable. The insistence on coal jobs reeks of nostalgia that blinds policymakers to the realities of a changing world.
Environmental and Legal Concerns:
Sections 5 and 6 prioritize coal leasing on federal lands, expedite environmental reviews, and aim to undo policies transitioning away from coal—essentially gutting established environmental protections. It’s a brazen move that will likely face legal challenges due to potential violations of laws like the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Designating coal as a “mineral” is a transparent attempt to skirt around regulations intended to protect our natural resources.
Technological Relevance:
The order absurdly links coal with cutting-edge technology, proposing its use in powering AI data centers. It’s an archaic idea that fails to recognize the superiority of renewable energy in supporting modern technological infrastructure.
Criticisms:
- Economic Viability: Pouring resources into reviving coal is a fool’s errand that ignores the economic potential of cleaner, more sustainable industries.
- Environmental Impact: Increasing reliance on coal blatantly disregards global efforts to combat climate change and reduce carbon emissions.
- Legal Scrutiny: The regulatory rollback proposed in this order will likely face intense legal scrutiny and challenges.
This executive action is a backward-looking, environmentally ignorant attempt to prop up an industry that should’ve been phased out decades ago. It’s emblematic of Donald Trump‘s disregard for science and economic reality—much like his many other disastrous policies. This kind of thinking not only undermines our environmental goals but also betrays the future we owe to coming generations. In essence, it’s a goddamn disgrace.
