January 6, 2026 - Andy Barr, Republican candidate for U.S. Senate, released his comprehensive plan to revive Kentucky coal, create good-paying energy jobs, and restore affordable, reliable power as demand from artificial intelligence and advanced technologies surges nationwide. Barr toured Portal 31 in Lynch and then held a press conference flanked by local officials and energy industry leaders in Eastern Kentucky. You can read the full agenda, “Andy Barr’s plan to Revive Kentucky Coal Jobs and Power Technologies of the Future,” HERE.

“I’m fighting alongside President Trump to Make America Energy Dominant Again — and that fight starts right here in Kentucky,” said Barr. “This plan is about creating good-paying Kentucky jobs, lowering energy costs, and making sure our communities can grow again.”

“There is so much history in Harlan County around our signature Kentucky coal industry,” said Dan Mosley, Judge/Executive of Harlan County. “That’s why preserving Portal 31 is important, to be able to tell the story of mining in Appalachia, a story that is far from being over. Andy Barr’s plan for Kentucky coal means that coal will be at the heart of our future and not just the past. I applaud his vision and am grateful he chose Harlan County, the coal capital of the world, to announce his energy plan.”

“No one will fight harder for Kentucky coal than Andy Barr,” said Senator Phillip Wheeler (R-SD-31), who has defended coal miners in court as an attorney. “Coal miners are proud people who want to work, provide for their families, and lower energy costs for their neighbors. Andy Barr’s plan delivers exactly that—and it puts Kentucky coal back to work.”

“We are ready to work with Andy Barr to maximize the full potential of Kentucky coal. That starts right here with our mine in Harlan County and we were honored that he visited today to see our operation and meet with our miners,” said Jake Hamilton, Superintendent of Operations of Nally and Hamilton Enterprises Inc.

Fixing the Damage Done by Washington’s War on Kentucky Coal

Barr said Kentucky communities have paid a heavy price for Washington’s anti-energy policies over the last two decades.

Since 2009:

• Kentucky lost more than 15,000 coal mining jobs, an 80% reduction in the workforce

• The Commonwealth shut down enough coal-fired power to electrify every home in Kentucky for three years

• Residential electricity rates have risen nearly 60%, hitting families, manufacturers, and local governments

Creating Jobs and Lowering Costs

Barr’s plan focuses on using what Kentucky already has:

• Restarting existing, pre-permitted coal plants

• Putting miners, plant workers, electricians, mechanics, and operators back to work

• Creating long-term careers in energy, construction, maintenance, and advanced manufacturing

Powering the Technologies of the Future

As electricity demand from AI, data centers, and advanced manufacturing explodes, Barr said reliable, around-the-clock power is now a national security issue.

Federal estimates show:

• Electricity demand from AI and data centers could increase tenfold by 2030

• Blackouts have already increased 60% over the past decade

• The Department of Energy warns blackout risk could rise up to 100 times if reliable power continues to be retired

Legislative Action to Get Results

Barr has already led and supported legislation to:

• Protect reliable power plants from premature shutdowns

• Speed permitting for power plants, transmission lines, and energy infrastructure

• Stop banks and regulators from denying financing to lawful energy projects

• Recover critical minerals from coal and coal ash

• Support AI data centers and advanced manufacturing that depend on affordable, nonstop power