Trump wants new coal plants built in the US. The price tag could be astronomical

illuminem summarises for you the essential news of the day, reviewed by our editorial team. Read the full piece on CNN or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: The Trump administration is backing plans for two new coal-fired power plants in West Virginia and Alaska, providing more than $100 million for early-stage studies
• If built, they would be the first major new U.S. coal plants in over a decade, but analysts question their economic viability

🔭 The context: The proposed facilities would rely on carbon capture technology to reduce emissions, a costly and still developing solution
• Independent estimates suggest the West Virginia plant could cost more than $10 billion, while the Alaska project could exceed $8 billion, making them significantly more expensive than natural gas, solar, or wind alternatives

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: New coal infrastructure risks locking in decades of fossil fuel emissions, even with carbon capture systems
• Coal remains one of the most carbon-intensive energy sources, and expanding its use could slow progress toward reducing greenhouse gas emissions and meeting climate targets

⏭️ What’s next: Funding for the projects would need to be secured, buyers for their electricity, as well as technical feasibility demonstrated before construction can begin
• Energy analysts expect continued debate over whether investment should prioritize coal reliability or lower-cost clean energy alternatives

💬 One quote: “My baseline reaction is these plants will never get built. The cost of that power is going to be far higher than the other forms of energy that are out there.” – Seth Feaster, Energy Data Analyst at the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis

📈 One stat: $10+ billion is the estimated construction cost of the proposed 1.6 gigawatt coal plant in West Virginia with carbon capture technology

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