WASHINGTON — February 12, 2026 — President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Wednesday requiring the Department of Defense to secure long-term power purchase agreements with coal-fired power plants to provide reliable energy to U.S. military installations. The order, which refers to the Department of Defense internally as the “Department of War,” directs the Pentagon to prioritize coal as a stable and cost-effective energy source for bases across the country. Trump described the move as essential for national security and energy independence. Speaking at a White House ceremony, Trump praised coal’s reliability, saying it is “cheaper and far more