The announcements from the EPA, Energy and Interior departments are intended to bolster the domestic coal industry at a time of increasing electricity demand due in large part to artificial intelligence data centers. And the EPA announced regulatory changes that would favor coal-fired power plants. However, the Trump administration has been critical of wind and solar energy, blocking projects on federal lands and waters. In addition, Energy Secretary Chris Wright and others have criticized wind and solar power subsidies, arguing they are evidence these renewables are not cost-effective. Earlier this year President Donald Trump signed an executive order to support the coal industry.