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Capito praises Trump’s support for coal industry

Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., speaks during a news conference at the Capitol, Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.)

WHEELING — U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito said a move this week by President Donald Trump will help keep some coal-fired power plants open longer in West Virginia.

During a press call with reporters across the state on Thursday, Capito was asked to provide insight into an executive order signed by Trump on Wednesday that orders the Pentagon to secure long-term power purchase agreements with coal plants for military installations, and also directs the Department of Energy to issue funds to keep coal plants open in West Virginia, Ohio, North Carolina and Kentucky.

The Amos Plant in Putnam County, as well as the Mountaineer Plant in Mason County and the Fort Martin Plant in in Monongalia County should benefit from the move, according to Capito.

“What this does is provide funding to three of our West Virginia coal plants to not just keep the plants open for their natural time, but elongate that time,” she said.

“What this funding does for us is not just keep our power generating in West Virginia, but it also keeps our miners working,” Capito explained. “These are good-paying jobs that are respected jobs. I think it will have a good impact on West Virginia.”

On Wednesday, Capito joined Trump and others at the White House for a reception honoring those in the coal industry.

“It was a celebration of the hard work that men and women do to keep the lights on and our houses warm – not just in West Virginia, but throughout our country,” she said. “There is really no doubt that President Trump and his administration have prioritized unleashing America’s most affordable and reliable energy source. I am grateful for that. As a result, new lines are open and plants are continuing to run.”

Capito noted there were six West Virginia coal miners attending the event. They spoke on how meaningful it is to elongate the life of the coal plants and what effect this will have on West Virginia.

“All in all, it was a very positive day,” Capito added.”We learned a lot about during this cold weather how important it is in providing the warmth we need during these cold days.”

Capito also addressed the issue of the gridlock on Capitol Hill concerning the funding of the Department of Homeland Security. A shutdown of DHS is all but certain, as negotiations between Congressional Democrats and the White House over new restrictions for Immigrations and Customs Enforcement have stalled. The U.S. House and Senate are set to leave Washington for a 10-day break.

“We cannot keep communities safe – including those in West Virginia – if we weaken the brave men and women on the front lines protecting them,” she said. “I take it very seriously as I am a member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security.

“Not only does the appropriations bill provide funding for enforcement and border security, it also provides funds to keep Americans safe and advance national security missions across land and sea and in our cyber.”

The bill also funds ICE, an agency Capito said she “fully supports.”

“We’ve seen ICE’s brave work on display in our state. As you know, ICE has partnered with state and local enforcement to arrest 650 individuals who were here illegally, and many of them have records of committing crimes.

“Our state stands out as an example of how if law enforcement – if you work together – is better-served when folks at the state and federal level work closely together.”

The Homeland Security appropriations bill also funds Secret Service, the Coast Guard, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Transportation Security Administration agencies, according to Capito.

“These are important functions of our homeland security, and we need to make sure we meet those demands,” she said.

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