US coal consumption surged 10% in 2025, making it the biggest driver of global CO2 emissions rise, largely due to data centre power demand. The US accounted for over a third of global emissions increase and more than all other OECD countries combined, while President Trump's pro-coal agenda included $700m in federal investments to preserve and open coal plants.
Iowa, once a leader in wind power, is increasingly relying on coal generation as electricity demand surges from AI and data centers, with coal's share rising sharply at major utilities in 2024-2025. The shift has caused a significant jump in harmful emissions including sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide, worsening air quality and public health concerns in a state already facing elevated cancer rates.
A federal appeals court unanimously rejected the Trump administration's emergency order to keep Michigan's 64-year-old JH Campbell coal plant open, ruling that the Energy Department lacked authority to invoke emergency powers under the Federal Power Act. The court found no genuine emergency justifying the reversal of the plant's planned retirement, though the Energy Department argued the orders prevented blackouts during peak winter demand.
A U.S. Court of Appeals ruled that the Trump Administration's 2025 order keeping Michigan's J.H. Campbell coal plant operating was illegal, finding the Department of Energy lacked authority to override the state-approved retirement plan. The plant was originally scheduled to close in May 2025 as part of efforts to reduce carbon emissions, but emergency orders kept it open, costing Consumers Energy $295 million that would be passed to customers.
Chinese industry is reducing its dependence on fossil fuels as clean power generation exceeds demand growth, leading to declining coal output in multiple provinces and electrification of industrial processes. Eight of eleven industrial sectors including textiles, food, and pharmaceuticals have already peaked in fossil fuel use despite continued industrial output growth.