U.S. Department of Energy Hydrocarbons and Geothermal Energy Office

08/21/2026

Today’s office: Fossil Rock Mine⛏️

HGEO Director for the Office of Coal, Sarah Forbes, wrapped up the Utah visit at Wolverine Fuels, LLC's Fossil Rock Mine in Orangeville.

“The strength of America’s coal industry starts with its workers. Their skill and experience keep mines operating, communities strong, and reliable coal moving to market,” said Forbes.

Visits like this keep U.S. Department of Energy’s work grounded in what matters: supporting miners, strengthening communities, and keeping reliable American coal moving to the markets that need it.

08/21/2026

“Coal delivers reliable power, supports workers and communities, and anchors the industrial base behind America’s economy and security.”

—HGEO Acting Assistant Secretary Curt Coccodrilli

🔗 https://www.energy.gov/hgeo/office-subsurface-energy

08/21/2026

At the American Coal Council’s Coal Innovation & Market Strategies Conference in Park City, HGEO Acting Assistant Secretary Curt Coccodrilli spoke with coal producers, utilities, technology developers, and industry leaders about strengthening reliable generation, expanding markets, and advancing innovation across America’s coal sector.

08/20/2026

🎙️ HGEO Acting Assistant Secretary Curt Coccodrilli delivered keynote remarks at the American Coal Council’s Coal Innovation & Market Strategies Conference in Park City, outlining DOE’s work to stabilize, optimize, and grow America’s coal industry.

“DOE has announced more than $1.1 billion in investments to strengthen American coal, from modernizing power plants to expanding the infrastructure needed to reach new markets,” Coccodrilli said.

He also discussed the National Coal Council’s recent reports and DOE’s agreement with the U.S. Department of Labor to advance AI, automation, and advanced sensors across America’s mining sector.

Under President Trump’s American Energy Dominance Agenda, DOE is strengthening the plants, mines, infrastructure, technology, and workforce that support reliable American coal.

08/20/2026

🎙️HGEO Acting Assistant Secretary Curt Coccodrilli will deliver keynote remarks at the American Coal Council’s Coal Innovation & Market Strategies Conference, highlighting how the U.S. Department of Energy is working to stabilize, optimize, and grow America’s coal industry.

Follow along for updates.

08/20/2026

📸 Onsite at the Utah Geological Survey🏫

HGEO Acting Assistant Secretary Curt Coccodrilli visited the Carbon Ore, Rare Earth, and Critical Minerals project, where researchers are assessing the critical mineral potential of coal-related materials across the Rocky Mountain region. 🔬

Backed by $7.5 million in U.S. Department of Energy funding as part of a $9.6 million project, the team is sharing its findings through DOE's Energy Data Exchange and developing roadmaps for commercialization and workforce readiness.

🔗 https://www.energy.gov/hgeo/project-selections-foa-3077-regional-scale-collaboration-facilitate-domestic-critical-minerals

08/19/2026

Federal and state leadership aligned on American energy. 🤝

HGEO Acting Assistant Secretary Curt Coccodrilli met with Utah Governor Spencer Cox at the State Capitol to discuss shared energy priorities: strengthening Utah’s coal industry, expanding export opportunities, and building on the state’s leadership in geothermal energy and critical minerals.

Utah ranks third in the nation in utility-scale geothermal generation, is the country’s only producer of beryllium, and is part of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)-funded, 15-state Geothermal Power Accelerator helping states set geothermal goals and cut project costs.

Under President Trump’s American Energy Dominance Agenda, HGEO is proud to partner with states putting America’s resources to work.

08/19/2026

The U.S. Department of Energy released a fact sheet detailing how the Trump Administration is reinvigorating America's coal industry — strengthening grid reliability and national security in the process.

The numbers tell the story:
▸ 45 coal plants and more than 40 gigawatts of coal power saved or supported
▸ Approximately $50 billion in costs to build new generation avoided, protecting ratepayers nationwide
▸ At least 42 coal mines likely to remain in operation
▸ Roughly $1.7 billion in additional private-sector investment expected

That work spans the country — from new coal plants planned for Anchorage, Alaska, and the West Virginia Energy Campus, to the recommissioning of Maryland's AES Warrior Run, to a new coal export terminal at the Port of Oakland and much more.

Under President Trump's American Energy Dominance Agenda, HGEO is keeping reliable, affordable power on the grid and American coal communities working.
🔗

The Trump Administration is Strengthening Grid Reliability and National Security by Reinvigorating the American Coal Industry

08/18/2026

HGEO Acting Assistant Secretary Curt Coccodrilli and Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary John Lassek joined the Utah Mining Association and state and local leaders in Salt Lake City for a roundtable on Utah’s energy future.

The discussion focused on expanding coal export opportunities, advancing mining innovation and critical minerals development, and strengthening technologies across the geothermal energy sector.

Utah produced 8.2 million tons of coal in 2025, powering homes across the state and supplying markets in Asia. Under President Trump’s American Energy Dominance Agenda, HGEO is working with Utah to keep powering growth. 📈

08/18/2026

Kicking off today’s Utah energy roundtable with the Utah Mining Association and state and local leaders.⚡

HGEO Acting Assistant Secretary Curt Coccodrilli opened the discussion by highlighting Utah’s role across coal, geothermal energy, critical minerals, oil, and natural gas.