FRANKFORT, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) — President Donald Trump has signed four executive orders aimed at limiting restrictions on coal mining production. Kentucky Senate President Robert Stivers says this will benefit Kentucky’s economy. “There will be pools of money. Instead of going to the ren ewables, [it] will be going to the carbon-based, coal-fired generating plants to help upgrade them, make them more efficient, more environmentally friendly,” he said. Not everyone agrees that this venture is environmentally friendly. Certain groups, such as the Natural Resources Defense Council, refer to coal as “old, dirty, uncompetitive and unreliable.” Stivers says these executive orders are a step in the right directions. “It sets up a dynamic that puts Kentucky in a good position to generate in being a low-cost energy producer,” he said. Kentucky is home to many abandoned coal mines. The state used to be home to many families who heavily relied on these mines to pay for their way of life. “It won’t just be miners going back to work, it’ll be all the peripheral jobs that will come back that you’ll see that used to be there,” Stivers said. “Mine supply store, lumber companies, little grocery store, mom and pop operations, that’s the hope.” Although, the hope isn’t always the reality. While Trump, along with Stivers and many other Kentucky leaders, are optimistic about moving forward, there are concerns on how this will impact renewable energy resources like solar and wind. Stivers says the increase in coal production won’t hinder what these other energy sources are already accomplishing. Although, he says funding will see a shift. “The pots of money that were out there by the Biden Administration to encourage renewables will be shifted to assist the investor-owns and the co-ops to help them restore, refurbish, what they have basically been letting run down,” he said. He also addressed the tariffs, he says with Trump in office, we’re likely to see another Industrial Revolution. Meanwhile, economists are worried about a potential recession, adding that the impact will be felt by the American people. Stivers says coal is just one example of how American people can produce and pay domestically for energy. “We are looking at doing something that puts Kentucky and the ability to generate energy in a very good position,” he said.   Categories: Featured, Local News, News Tags: climate change, Coal, Energy, Environment, executive orders, President Donald Trump, renewable energy, Senate President Robert Stivers, tariffs ...read more read less