The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced a Notice of Funding Opportunity for up to $100 million in federal funding aimed at refurbishing and modernizing the country’s coal power plants. This initiative follows a previous announcement from September regarding a planned $625 million investment to support and expand the American coal industry.
According to U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright, “For years, the Biden and Obama administrations relentlessly targeted America’s coal industry and workers, resulting in the closure of reliable power plants and higher electricity costs. Thankfully, President Trump has ended the war on American coal and is restoring common sense energy policies that put Americans first. These projects will help keep America’s coal plants operating and ensure the United States has the reliable and affordable power it needs to keep the lights on and power our future.”
The funding opportunity aligns with executive orders issued by President Trump that focus on revitalizing the coal sector and enhancing the reliability and security of the nation’s electric grid.
The DOE is seeking applications for projects that address three main areas: developing advanced wastewater management systems for water recovery; designing retrofit systems that allow fuel switching between coal and natural gas; and deploying advanced co-firing systems that maximize gas co-firing capacity while minimizing efficiency losses.
The National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), part of DOE’s Office of Fossil Energy, will oversee selected projects under this program. Applications are due by January 7, 2026, at 5:00 PM ET.
