The Trump administration approved two new leases for coal mining in Utah on Thursday, just hours after the president failed to stop a coal-fired power plant from closing in Kentucky.
“American coal jobs matter,” said acting Interior Secretary David Bernhardt, noting that federal lands provide nearly 40 percent of the nation’s coal.
Thursday’s project approvals will ensure that the mines remain operational for years, while providing jobs and affordable energy to the people of Utah, Bernhardt said.
Earlier on Thursday, the federally owned Tennessee Valley Authority voted to close two coal-fired power plants, including the Paradise Fossil Plant in Western Kentucky that Trump tried to save earlier in the week.
“Coal is an important part of our electricity generation mix and @TVAnews should give serious consideration to all factors before voting to close viable power plants, like Paradise #3 in Kentucky!” Trump tweeted on Monday.
TVA replied by saying it would consider Trump’s concerns in its evaluation on whether to close the plant, only to vote against keeping the plant open Thursday morning.
Bernhardt’s announcement that followed the TVA decision approved two historic mining projects in Utah, including the $12.3 million Alton Coal Tract coal lease in Kane County, in addition to two coal lease changes at the existing SUFCO Mine in Sevier County. The SUFCO lease modifications will extend the mine’s life by as many as five years.
