U.S. energy prices reached an all-time high in 2023 and exceeded deman by 9.4%, according totthe mst recent available data fromthe U.S. Energy Administration Admnistration. Energy Information Administration graphic
Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita recently joined 22 of his like-minded colleagues in a letter urging the federal government to once again put coal at the center of the nation's energy portfolio.
The Republican said in the letter to U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum that he supports efforts to "keep every coal plant open," as well as initiatives by Republican President Donald Trump to reopen units at any coal-fired power plant that recently have shut down.
"We are ecstatic that President Trump announced just days ago that he is 'authorizing [his] Administration to immediately begin producing Energy with BEAUTIFUL, CLEAN COAL,'" Rokita said.
Rokita falsely asserts in his letter that America's energy supply declined during the administration of Democratic President Joe Biden.
In fact, energy production reached an all-time high in 2023 and exceeded demand by 9.4%, according to the most recent available data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).
Nevertheless, Rokita insists more coal is needed for the United States to meet the huge energy needs of computer data centers and artificial intelligence — and without it the nation is doomed.
"The North American Electric Reliability Corporation projects that, unless something is done now, large swaths of our country will not have a reliable power grid as soon as this year, even during normal conditions," Rokita said.
"Let's unleash American coal to help power a new era of American prosperity and peace."
The EIA found just 2,490 Hoosiers were employed in coal-mining jobs in 2023. In comparison, more than 11,000 Hoosiers worked in solar or wind energy jobs, according to the Interstate Renewable Energy Council.
Despite that, Rokita said fossil fuel energy, including coal-fired power, "is the only way for America to confront 21st century challenges."
"America needs coal power to succeed," Rokita said.
State campaign finance records show Rokita has received $22,500 in donations from Terre Haute-based Sunrise Coal and $17,500 from the Oklahoma-based Alliance Coal PAC since 2020.
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