WASHINGTON — An independent energy agency on Monday rejected a Trump administration plan to bolster coal-fired and nuclear power plants, dealing a blow to President Donald Trump’s efforts to boost the struggling coal industry.
The decision by the Republican-controlled Federal Energy Regulatory Commission was unexpected and comes amid repeated promises by Trump to revive coal as the nation’s top power source. The industry has been besieged by multiple bankruptcies and a steady loss of market share as natural gas and renewable energy flourish.
The energy commission said in its decision that despite claims by the administration to the contrary, there’s no evidence that any past or planned retirements of coal-fired power plants pose a threat to reliability of the nation’s electric grid.
Even so, the five-member commission said it will review the resilience of the nation’s electric grid and requested information within 60 days from regional transmission organizations and independent system operators that oversee the grid. The panel said it expects to “promptly decide” whether additional action is needed.
The Trump administration’s plan, outlined last fall by Energy Secretary Rick Perry, was opposed by an unusual coalition of business and environmental groups that frequently disagree with each other.
