The Department of Energy (DOE) predicted earlier this year that blackouts could be a regular occurrence "if the U.S. continues to shutter reliable power sources and fails to add additional firm capacity."

In a move that is sure to leave Democrats screeching, President Donald Trump has responded by bringing back America's coal industry. 

DOE pledges $100 million to improve coal-fired power plants

According to the Daily Caller, the DOE announced late last week that it had issued a $100 million Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).

The money will be used to "design, implement, test, and validate three strategic opportunities for refurbishment and retrofit of existing American coal power plants to make them operate more efficiently, reliably, and affordably."

Details concerning the move were announced in a press release put out by U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright on Friday.

"For years, the Biden and Obama administrations relentlessly targeted America’s coal industry and workers, resulting in the closure of reliable power plants and higher electricity costs," Write declared.

NOFO to focus on waste water management, improving gas capabilities

"Thankfully, President Trump has ended the war on American coal and is restoring common sense energy policies that put Americans first," he continued.

"These projects will help keep America's coal plants operating and ensure the United States has the reliable and affordable power it needs to keep the lights on and power our future," the secretary of energy stressed.

The NOFO will focus on creating "advanced wastewater management systems capable of cost-effective water recovery and other value-added byproducts from wastewater streams."

It will also promote the retrofitting of "systems that enable fuel switching between coal and natural gas without compromising critical operational parameters."

Friday's press release observed that Friday's revelation came just over a month after the department pledged $625 million towards reinvigorating America's coal industry.

Biden blocked new leases in America's most coal-rich region

It also followed an executive order which the president signed in April that was aimed at reversing former President Joe Biden's anti-coal policies.

🚨 COAL IS BACK: Trump signs executive order to keep alive, and revive, coal plants in the U.S.

While he does so - a room full of coal workers cheer him on.

What a sight to behold. pic.twitter.com/bgGHzuuTxz

— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) April 8, 2025

They included a ban on future coal leasing in the Powder River Basin. Located in Montana and Wyoming, the Powder River Basin is regarded as being among America's most coal-rich regions.