The Department of Energy on Thursday night designated metallurgical coal as a critical material, a move the department says will boost the U.S. steel sector.
Metallurgical coal is a type of coal used in steelmaking. It differs from thermal coal, which is used to generate electricity.
“Metallurgical coal is more than a fuel — it is a cornerstone of our industrial base,” Energy Secretary Chris Wright said in a statement. “We are ensuring that American steel, generated by American coal, remains the backbone of our manufacturing sector.”
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The move follows a White House executive order last month dubbed “Reinvigorating America’s Beautiful Clean Coal Industry.”
