U.S. Coal Use Is Rebounding Under Biden Like It Never Did With Trump

U.S. utilities are on track to burn 23% more coal this year as the global energy crisis lifts demand for fossil fuels.

Photographer: Luke Sharrett/Bloomberg
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Donald Trump vowed to revive the coal industry, but it’s President Joe Biden who’s seeing a big comeback of the dirtiest fossil fuel.

U.S. power plants are on track to burn 23% more coal this year, the first increase since 2013, despite Biden’s ambitious plan to eliminate carbon emissions from the power grid. The rebound comes after consumption by utilities plunged 36% under Trump, who slashed environmental regulations in an unsuccessful effort to boost the fuel.