President Trump has signed orders to keep ageing coal plants online, despite utilities warning of high operating costs. Energy experts argue that the Department of Energy’s blackout risk report exaggerates threats while downplaying new renewable capacity.

Across the country, creaking old power plants that consumed coal in roaring furnaces are being forced out of retirement by the Trump administration. This use of emergency powers is supposed to reduce American’s energy costs but experts say it is already doing the opposite.

The president is poised to sign a directive Wednesday directing the Pentagon to up its coal use. Success will hinge on the grid itself.

Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Ingmar Rentzhog is the CEO and founder of We Don’t Have Time. For the first time in history, renewables have generated more electricity than coal globally. But as science powers this ...

Trump signed an executive order Wednesday directing the Department of War to purchase coal power for military installations, calling coal "essential" to national security.