The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) offering up to $100 million in federal funding to refurbish and modernize existing coal power plants across the country. This initiative is part of a broader effort that follows the department’s earlier statement from September regarding plans to invest $625 million in revitalizing the American coal industry.
U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright stated, “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 President Trump’s Executive Orders focused on strengthening the nation’s coal sector and electric grid reliability. The NOFO invites applications for projects aimed at improving efficiency, reliability, and affordability at existing coal facilities through three main strategies: advanced wastewater management systems for water recovery; retrofit systems allowing fuel switching between coal and natural gas; and deployment of advanced co-firing systems for greater fuel flexibility.
Selected projects will be managed by DOE’s National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), under oversight from DOE’s Office of Fossil Energy (FE). Applications are due by January 7, 2026.
