May 1, 2025 - Earlier this month, President Donald Trump signed an executive order designed to prevent the closing of coal-fired power plants.

According to the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet, coal accounts for 68% of the commonwealth’s electricity.

State Senator Brandon Smith of Hazard says the executive order protects Kentucky jobs and will make Kentucky a national leader in generating power again.

Brandon Smith

“It does give us a chance to be able to work, and that’s the thing that I think Trump said was the most important. He talked about having a meeting with a miner that was tearful, very emotional because he wanted to work, rather than getting a handout. And there’s a difference. What our group is asking for is to give us a mining permit, don’t give me welfare, don’t give me some sort of subsidy,” said Smith.