Trump’s Coal Gambit May Yield Political Points But Not Mining Jobs
- Move to bolster coal plants appeals to voters who backed Trump
- Effort latest to invoke national security on behalf of workers
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The Trump administration’s plan for reviving coal power plants is unlikely to resurrect mining jobs but may boost the president’s support among crucial Rust Belt voters before the midterm elections that will determine which party controls Congress.
President Donald Trump has asked Energy Secretary Rick Perry to take immediate action to stem closures of coal and nuclear power plants. A draft plan invokes national security concerns to justify dramatic steps, such as mandating electricity purchases from the plants.