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| Dear Friend, |
| While families across the country are bracing for high electricity bills this winter, the Trump administration has a “gift” lined up for us all. It’s coal for the holidays — and an even bigger bill to pay for it. |
| By abusing emergency powers, the administration is pushing a plan to prop up the failing coal industry by forcing outdated, dirty coal plants to stay open. Just last night, the administration issued 90-day emergency orders preventing units at two coal power plants in Indiana from retiring as planned by December 31. |
| They’re doing it at the expense of everyday people, while blocking cleaner, cheaper energy options that would actually lower costs and protect our health. |
| Here’s what’s really going on: |
| This is an unprecedented power grab: The administration is trying to override decisions made by utilities, grid operators, state regulators, and lawmakers, all to force coal plants to keep running. |
| This means higher bills for American families: Coal is the one of the most expensive ways of generating electricity. Preventing gas and coal plants from retiring could cost us over $3.1 billion per year, and nearly $6 billion if additional older fossil fuel plants stay in operation. |
| This will cause more pollution and worse health outcomes: Burning coal releases deadly air pollution and toxic metals that contaminate water, harm nearby communities, and accelerate climate change. |
| That’s not all: The coal industry has asked EPA to let it off the hook for cleaning up its toxic coal ash dumps and in 2026, EPA plans to grant that wish by gutting critical regulations that protect communities and the environment. |
| This isn’t about reliability or affordability. It’s about bailing out a failing industry and sticking the public with the costs. |
| Our gift to the Trump administration this year? A promise that we will hold them accountable. |
| At Earthjustice, we’re already fighting back: We are challenging the Trump administration’s abuse of ‘emergency’ orders to override decisions and prop up coal, holding federal agencies accountable, and defending the right of states and communities to choose cleaner energy. But these cases take time, resources, and relentless pressure. |
| Make a year-end gift today to help Earthjustice fight back against coal giveaways and protect families from higher bills and toxic pollution. We represent our clients free of charge, and we need your help to scale up for the fights we will face in 2026 and beyond. |
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Sincerely,
The Team at Earthjustice |
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