Like Dutch tulips and the dot-com era, the world is euphoric over artificial intelligence (AI), automation, and robots. Humanity has been able to build technology that will eventually be sentient, requiring semiconductors, data centers, and industrial materials. Along the way, we forgot about one pressing need for advancing AI to the next level: energy. The White House thinks coal could potentially help power our appetite for generating AI slop and keeping Neo operating to fold the laundry and unload the dishwasher.
Trump Is Wild About Coal
During the 2024 election campaign, President Donald Trump promised an all-of-the-above energy strategy, enabling the United States to capitalize on its vast natural resources and investments in green technology. So far, the administration is more focused on conventional forms, including crude oil, natural gas, and coal.
The Department of Energy is allocating $100 million to refurbish and modernize existing coal plants, intending to increase their profitability. This comes soon after the Trump administration approved $625 million for coal plants. Now, it is unclear where the money will come from, but officials are energetic about employing the sedimentary rock to keep America's lights on.
Energy Secretary Chris Wright, in an Oct. 31 announcement, slammed the Biden and Obama administrations for abandoning the nation's coal industry and facilitating the closure of reliable power plants, ushering in an era of higher electricity costs.
Indeed, electricity costs for households have soared about 55% since 2009.
"Thankfully," Wright said, "President Trump has ended the war on American coal and is restoring common sense energy policies that put Americans first. 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."
Department of Energy officials have taken several steps to revitalize coal, including issuing emergency orders to ensure plants remain operational.
Canary in the Coal Mine
It is not only the United States that is cheering on coal. Across the globe, from Canada to Russia, nations are reinvigorating their coal mining efforts after falling for the coquettish green mistress over the past 20 years. China's construction of new coal power plants reached a ten-year high in 2024.
Since the globalists have wagged their fingers disapprovingly at countries using oil, natural gas, and nuclear energy, it is no wonder that the world reintroduced coal into its arsenal of energy sources in the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic.
As Liberty Nation News has reported, the planet has returned to coal since wind turbines have failed as a sufficient alternative. Last year, worldwide production totaled nine billion tons – concentrated primarily in Asia – and estimates suggest 2025 will witness comparable numbers. Output is occurring only due to high demand. In fact, in 2024, worldwide coal trade reached a record 1.55 billion tons.
With advanced economies and developing markets welcoming AI and robots with open arms, it has become essential to look under the sofa cushions for any extra energy source. This past summer, the Department of Energy warned that blackout risks across the United States could increase dramatically – potentially by a factor of 100 – if reliable power sources are retired without sufficient replacements.
The N Word
Electric demand is now soaring at the fastest pace since the 1960s and 1970s. Projections indicate that electricity consumption will continue to accelerate, driven by the growth of mega AI data centers, electric vehicle charging stations, and the reshoring of manufacturing. Producing 14 million barrels of crude oil per day and waiting for the wind to blow will not be a reliable solution to prevent blackouts.
While there are currently no nuclear reactors under construction, efforts are underway to build ten large ones by 2030, which could power more than 750,000 homes. This is part of a broader initiative to quadruple domestic nuclear capacity by 2050, in addition to various statewide plans.
It might be time to push the right nuclear button.
.jpg&w=1920&q=75)
.jpg&w=1920&q=75)
