US President Donald Trump has announced a $700 million plan to support the US coal industry, using Cold War-era legislation to tap funding for coal projects.
The funds will be used to keep over a dozen coal plants in ten states and 42 mines open, as well as to build two new coal plants and an export terminal.
Trump said the initiative will bring down the price of energy and the cost of living for Americans, despite coal being the most polluting fossil fuel.
The plan involves redirecting $200 million from climate change projects towards a coal plant in Maryland and two new plants in Alaska and West Virginia.
A new coal export terminal will be built in California with the capacity to handle 12 million tons of the fossil fuel.
US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said coal is a critical source of electricity and industry.
The announcement is Trump's latest effort to fortify the fossil fuel industry, following previous moves to repeal climate regulations and enter into long-term supply contracts with US coal power plants.
