This Presidential Action, issued on February 11, 2026, mandates that the Department of War (DOW), in coordination with the Department of Energy, must prioritize the preservation and strategic use of coal-based energy assets to ensure the electric grid supporting military installations and defense industry remains resilient and reliable.
Citing coal's proven ability to provide continuous baseload power, the action directs the DOW to procure power through long-term Power Purchase Agreements with coal-fired facilities, prioritizing those that enhance grid reliability, on-site fuel security, and mission assurance for defense capabilities, based on the policy that coal is essential for national and economic security during the declared national energy emergency.
Arguments For
Reliance on coal ensures continuous, on-demand baseload power, which is critical for the sustained operational readiness of the Armed Forces and defense-industrial production, especially during contingencies or emergencies.
Utilizing domestic coal resources enhances national security by reducing dependency on foreign energy supplies and strengthening American energy dominance.
Long-term Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) with coal facilities will directly support grid reliability, enhance on-site fuel security for military installations, and ensure mission assurance for defense and intelligence capabilities.
Arguments Against
Prioritizing coal may contradict national goals or international commitments related to climate change mitigation and the transition toward renewable energy sources.
Long-term PPAs commit federal funds to infrastructure potentially inconsistent with future energy strategies, creating economic risk for early retirement or stranded assets if energy policy shifts.
Over-reliance on coal contrasts with investments in more modern, potentially decentralized, or intermittent renewable energy sources that might offer greater long-term resilience or lower operational complexity for some installations.
Section 1. Purpose. The United States must ensure that our electric grid –- upon which military installations, operations, and defense-industrial production depend — remains resilient and reliable, and not reliant on intermittent energy sources. The grid is the foundation of our national defense as well as our economic stability. Any prolonged disruption caused by energy shortages, foreign supply dependencies, or intermittent generation threatens the operational readiness of our Armed Forces and the safety of the American people.
Given our Nation’s vast coal resources and the proven reliability of our coal-fired generation fleet in providing continuous, on-demand baseload power, it is imperative that the Department of War (DOW) prioritize the preservation and strategic utilization of coal-based energy assets. Coal generation ensures that military installations, command centers, and defense-industrial bases remain fully powered under all conditions — including natural disasters, or wartime contingencies. Maintaining this capability is a matter of national security, strategic deterrence, and American energy dominance.
Section 1 establishes the purpose of the action, stressing that the U.S. electric grid, which supports military operations and defense production, must be resilient and not overly dependent on intermittent energy sources.
The text emphasizes that the grid underpins both national defense and economic stability.
It asserts that coal generation is vital because it provides reliable, continuous baseload power, making it imperative for the Department of War (DOW) to prioritize using coal energy assets to keep military and defense facilities operational during any scenario, including disasters or conflict.
Sec. 2. Policy. Pursuant to Executive Order 14261 of April 8, 2025 (Reinvigorating America’s Beautiful Clean Coal Industry and Amending Executive Order 14241), and Executive Order 14262 of April 8, 2025 (Strengthening the Reliability and Security of the United States Electric Grid), it is the policy of the United States that coal is essential to our national and economic security, and that our electric grid must use power generation resources that have abundant fuel supplies capable of extended operations to address the national emergency declared pursuant to Executive Order 14156 of January 20, 2025 (Declaring a National Energy Emergency).
Section 2 declares the official policy of the United States regarding energy generation for the grid.
This policy explicitly supports the use of coal, citing its abundant fuel supply and capacity for extended operations.
This declaration is legally linked to two prior Executive Orders from 2025 concerning the coal industry and electric grid security, all serving to address a national energy emergency declared earlier in January 2025.
Sec. 3. Power Purchase Agreements with Federal Installations. The Secretary of War, in coordination with the Secretary of Energy, shall seek to procure power from the United States coal generation fleet by approving long-term Power Purchase Agreements, or entering into any similar contractual agreements, with coal-fired energy production facilities to serve DOW installations or other mission-critical facilities, with priority given to projects that enhance:
(a) grid reliability and blackout prevention;
(b) on-site fuel security; and
(c) mission assurance for defense and intelligence capabilities.
Section 3 outlines the directive for procuring energy, requiring the Secretary of War and the Secretary of Energy to focus on securing long-term Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) with coal-fired power facilities.
These contracts are intended to supply power directly to Department of War (DOW) installations and other vital mission-critical sites.
Priority must be given to projects that specifically increase the reliability of the power grid, ensure local fuel supplies for those facilities, and guarantee the successful operation of defense and intelligence functions.
Sec. 4. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:
(i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or
(ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.
(b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.
(c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.
(d) The costs for publication of this order shall be borne by the DOW.
DONALD J. TRUMP
THE WHITE HOUSE,
February 11, 2026.
Section 4 contains standard regulatory boilerplate provisions.
Clause (a) clarifies that the order does not override existing statutory authority granted to other executive departments or agencies or affect the budgetary responsibilities of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget.
Clause (b) stipulates that the implementation of the order must comply with existing laws and is contingent upon available funding.
Clause (c) is a defensive statement ensuring the order does not create enforceable legal rights or new benefits for any private party against the government.
Finally, clause (d) assigns the publication costs of the order to the DOW, followed by the dating and signature of Donald J. Trump on February 11, 2026.