U.S. Department of Energy Hydrocarbons and Geothermal Energy Office

HGEO Acting A/S Curt Coccodrilli recently joined the Coal Nation Podcast for a conversation on coal’s role in reliable, affordable energy.

The episode covered the critical role coal plays in powering America, supporting grid reliability, strengthening energy security, and driving innovation across the energy landscape. PDAS Coccodrilli also discussed HGEO's mission to expand coal export markets and support the workers and communities that have powered this country for generations.

🔗 Coal Nation Episode 16:

Coal Nation Episode 16: Live from Signal Peak Energy—Coal, Exports & America’s Energy Future In this live on-location episode of Coal Nation, host Steve Read si...

America’s growing power demand is putting reliable coal generation back in focus ⚡🇺🇸

New projections from the U.S. Energy Information Administration highlight coal’s continued role in supporting grid reliability into 2026 as the nation faces mounting energy needs. ⚙️⛏️

This outlook aligns with the U.S. Department of Energy’s focus to provide affordable, reliable, and secure energy to Americans while supporting long-term energy dominance.

The latest analysis also shows coal-fired electricity generation increasing as demand rises and natural gas prices remain elevated. Read more: https://bit.ly/3QkqsYk

Coal remains competitive for power generation in the central United States - U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) Energy Information Administration - EIA - Official Energy Statistics from the U.S. Government

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has selected four coal modernization and reliability projects across the country — investing up to $350 million to expand and reinvigorate America's coal fleet as part of a broader $1 billion DOE commitment to coal-based generation, grid reliability, and strategic energy infrastructure. 🏗️

The selections include two new coal-fired power plants in Alaska and West Virginia (combined 2,850 MW), the retrofit of a 510-MW plant in Puerto Rico, and the recommissioning of a 205-MW facility in Maryland.

Under President Trump's American Energy Dominance Agenda, HGEO is putting American coal back to work — strengthening baseload power, reinforcing grid reliability, and supporting the workers and communities that have powered this country for generations.

Read the full announcement:

Energy Department to Invest $350 Million to Build, Modernize, and Restart Coal Plants The U.S. Department of Energy today announced the selection of four coal modernization and reliability projects to strengthen coal-based generation, grid reliability, and strategic energy infrastructure.

The U.S. Department of Energy has announced up to $500 million in Defense Production Act Title III funding — part of a broader $1 billion commitment to expand coal capacity, strengthen coal-based generation, and reinforce America's grid reliability and energy security.

The investment includes:

🔹 12 projects selected to expand and reinvigorate America's coal fleet across Arizona, Arkansas, Indiana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Tennessee, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.

🔹 The West Gateway Terminal Project at the Port of Oakland, California — a rail-served marine export terminal capable of handling more than 10 million tons of bulk commodities annually, expanding U.S. coal export capacity to allied nations.

Under President Trump's American Energy Dominance Agenda, HGEO is investing in the infrastructure, capacity, and supply chains America needs to strengthen baseload power at home and deliver reliable energy to our allies abroad.

Read the full announcement 👉 https://bit.ly/4emwhxA

Energy Department to Use Defense Production Act Funding to Expand Coal Capacity at 13 Plants and Build Export Infrastructure The U.S. Department of Energy today announced it will support 13 American coal-fired power plants and new coal export infrastructure by providing up to $500 million in Defense Production Act Title III (DPA) funds.

Energy dominance is built through direct partnerships. 🤝

At last week's energy forum organized by the U.S. Mission to the Organization of American States, U.S. energy industry leaders sat down with official representatives from nations across the Americas to discuss real investment, real projects, and real energy solutions. HGEO Acting Assistant Secretary Curt Coccodrilli joined the forum to reinforce the United States' commitment to transparent, rules-based energy cooperation that delivers lasting, mutual benefit.

Shorter supply chains, stronger partnerships, and a more secure hemisphere that is part of President Trump's American Energy Dominance Agenda — and HGEO is helping make it happen.

🎙️Speaking on the American Coal Council's Coal Nation podcast from Signal Peak Energy in Montana, Acting Assistant Secretary Curt Coccodrilli described how President Trump’s Executive Orders, Secretary Wright's nine points, and the National Energy Dominance Council are aligning to support American coal communities and our allies abroad.

"The market is there, the demand is there, and we are going to do everything we can in our administration to help move that needle," Coccodrilli said.

Listen here 👉 Coal Nation Episode 16:

Coal Nation Episode 16: Live from Signal Peak Energy—Coal, Exports & America’s Energy Future In this live on-location episode of Coal Nation, host Steve Read si...

HGEO Acting A/S Curt Coccodrilli joined the American Coal Council's Coal Nation podcast — live from Signal Peak Energy's mine in Montana — for an on-location conversation about the future of American coal. ⛏️

He covered HGEO's mission to stabilize, optimize, and grow the coal industry, the work underway to expand export infrastructure, and why reliable baseload power matters more than ever in the age of AI. Coccodrilli also reflected on his own roots in Pennsylvania coal country, where shoveling coal as a kid and hearing his grandfathers' mining stories shaped a lifelong respect for the industry and the people in it.

🎧 Listen here:

Coal Nation Episode 16: Live from Signal Peak Energy—Coal, Exports & America’s Energy Future In this live on-location episode of Coal Nation, host Steve Read si...

At the Organization of American States Energy Forum, U.S. energy executives and government representatives from across the hemisphere came together for direct, intermediary-free conversations about capabilities, interests, and energy needs. 💡

HGEO Acting Assistant Secretary Curt Coccodrilli laid out the American playbook under President Trump's American Energy Dominance Agenda: replicate the success of the Shale Revolution across geothermal, advance next-generation small modular reactors, and build shorter, more secure supply chains right here in our hemisphere.

This is real partnership in action—building reliable supply chains right here in the Americas.

At the Organization of American States headquarters in Washington, D.C., HGEO Acting Assistant Secretary Curt Coccodrilli joined USOAS Ambassador Leandro Rizzuto to advance President Trump’s American Energy Dominance Agenda in the historic Hall of the Americas.

Titled Advancing Energy Security and Economic Integration in the Americas, this event brought together U.S. energy industry and representatives from OAS member states to address a critical priority for hemispheric prosperity: regional energy integration. It was a great opportunity to discuss how unleashing U.S. energy resources drives economic growth at home, reliable partnerships abroad, and reinforces global stability. ⚡

Abundant, affordable American energy powers economic growth, jobs, and security for all.

🤝Thank you to the producers, workers, Tribal leaders, state officials, and industry partners who hosted the U.S. Department of Energy and U.S. Department of Commerce across Montana and Wyoming in May.

Through mine tours and roundtable discussions, the visit highlighted the important role coal-producing regions continue to play in supporting reliable energy production, exports, infrastructure, innovation, and America’s growing energy demand. 📈

Coal remains essential to strengthening U.S. export competitiveness and long-term American energy security.

🔗 https://www.energy.gov/hgeo/office-coal