Edward Smith, edward.smith@sierraclub.org
Indianapolis, Ind -- Donald Trump’s executive orders aim to force coal plants to remain open past their scheduled retirement dates by invoking an outdated wartime law that allows the Department of Energy to compel power plants to temporarily remain operational. Donald Trump attempted a similar strategy during his first administration, but failed. Nearly 100 coal plants retired or announced retirements during Trump’s first term.
By extending the lifespan of coal-fired power plants that are already scheduled to retire and placing aggressive tariffs on renewable energy, Trump’s policies will raise monthly energy bills for everyday Americans. On average, renewable energy costs 30 percent less than coal for the same energy output.
Since 2009, Sierra Club’s Beyond Coal Campaign has successfully advocated for the retirement of 389 coal-fired power plants. Last year, coal production fell to a historic low, making up only 15 percent of U.S. electricity generation. Meanwhile, renewable energy has rapidly overtaken coal and made up nearly a quarter of the U.S. grid in 2024.
Duke earned 2 out of 100 in the inaugural release of the Dirty Truth About Utility Climate Pledges in 2021, and climbed to 20 out of 100 in 2024. While it made progress in some states, Duke Indiana saw its grade slide from 13 to 0 over the same period due to the extended timeline of coal plant operations and lack of clean energy investments.
Duke signaled it may burn more coal under a Trump Administration even as the planet surpassed 1.5 degrees Celsius of human-caused warming, and despite the fact that clean energy like wind and solar is more affordable than 99 percent of all U.S. coal plants. Duke provides electricity to customers in Indiana, Florida, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, and South Carolina. Bloomberg reports that Duke Energy “removed a mention of climate targets in its latest earnings release as the company builds more natural gas plants and reconsiders its coal plans.”
Duke is the only monopoly electric utility in Indiana that currently plans to burn coal beyond 2030. All five monopoly electric utilities in Indiana received scores in the Sierra Club’s Dirty Truth About Utility Climate Pledges, which will be updated again in September 2025.
On March 12, Governor Braun issued two executive orders impacting environmental protections and environmental justice. By ordering a review of all existing Indiana environmental rules more stringent than federal regulations, the Governor is paving the way for the Trump Administration to remove crucial protections for Hoosier families impacted by coal plant pollution. Additionally, by banning environmental justice considerations in environmental permitting or enforcement decisions, Indiana residents who have already been asked to wait too long, could end up waiting even longer for relief that was promised in the Justice40 initiative.
Statement from Robyn Skuya-Boss, Hoosier Chapter Director for the Sierra Club:
“Being a coal-dependent state is increasingly a part of Indiana’s past as aging and expensive coal plants retire and affordable clean energy comes online. The combination of today’s executive orders from Trump and the recent executive orders from Governor Braun sets up Hoosiers to bear the brunt of excessive coal costs and pollution for years to come. Utility companies like Duke Energy can make the choice to not follow their lead by committing to protect public health and our environment rather than keep polluting coal plants operating unnecessarily.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.