Donald Trump orders US defence department to buy coal-generated electricity
Executive order also allocates $175mn to upgrade coal power plants in five states
Executive order also allocates $175mn to upgrade coal power plants in five states

President and state governors want tech groups to build plants to meet AI demand and help lower utility bills

The US president’s actions have inadvertently raised the appeal of renewable energy

Plans for 10 new reactors come as president tries to encourage an American atomic energy renaissance

Power demand is booming as generation costs are rising

Trump administration challenges Chinese dominance of supply chain for metals essential to defence industry

Turmoil in oil and gas markets is pushing governments to seek alternatives