president Donald Trump On Wednesday, he ordered the Defense Department to buy electricity from coal-fired power plants, his latest effort to revive an industry that has struggled to compete with cheap energy.

trump signed executive order at an event at the White House Peabody Energy Company CEO James Grech. The order directs the Pentagon to enter into long-term power purchase agreements with coal-fired power plants at military installations.

“We’re going to buy a lot of coal right now through the military,” Trump said. Peabody’s shares rose 4% in after-hours trading.

The president said he also directed the Energy Department to release funds to keep coal-fired power plants operating in West Virginia, Ohio, North Carolina and Kentucky.

Last April, Trump declared coal critical to U.S. national and economic security. He issued several executive orders at the time aimed at boosting the economy coal production.

The coal industry has been in decline for years as it struggles to compete with natural gas and renewable energy. Approximately 16% of the U.S. generate electricity From burning coal in 2023, This is down from 51% in 2001. According to the Energy Information Administration.