Trump Interior Nominee Doug Burgum Proposes “Clean” Coal to Meet Growing Energy Demands

Mr. Burgum, what is “clean” coal?
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Washington, D.C. - Today, in his Senate confirmation hearing to be considered as Secretary of the Interior, Doug Burgum claimed that the United States should consider “clean coal” to meet the rapidly increasing energy demands brought forth by artificial intelligence (AI) data centers.

Right now, utilities are proposing more gas, and delaying coal plant retirements to meet the needs of power-hungry AI data centers. As a result, utility bills are increasing for hard-working families while air pollution worsens.

Last year, the Sierra Club released the Demanding Better report, detailing solutions to meet the rising energy demand without sacrificing public health and the environment. 

In response, Sierra Club Legislative Director Melinda Pierce issued the following statement: 

“There’s no such thing as ‘clean coal’. Coal pollutes our air, increases the risk of illnesses to vulnerable groups, and causes climate catastrophes. Doug Burgum showed us that he either doesn’t know the truth about the dirty impacts from coal pollution, or worse, that he cares more about lining the pockets of his elitist fossil fuel cronies than he does about the health of American families and children. 

“It’s reckless for someone who is seeking a cabinet position to throw around fictional solutions to a very real problem. As we continue to tackle the climate crisis, our communities deserve leadership that provides comprehensive and realistic responses to the environmental toll of the AI boom. 

“We urge Doug Burgum to move on from his ‘clean coal’ fairytales and get serious about the problems that our communities are facing by helping our nation responsibly transition to clean energy.”

About the Sierra Club

The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.