Price mayor: Trump’s push for more coal production will be good for Utah

Mar 19, 2025, 3:00 PM

Motorists drive on Main Street near coal miner artwork in Price on Wednesday, July 10, 2024. (Jeffrey D. Allred/Deseret News)

(Jeffrey D. Allred/Deseret News)

BY ADAM SMALL

Reporter

SALT LAKE CITY — President Donald Trump wants to ramp up coal production around the country. The mayor of a local coal mining community thinks that’ll be great for Utah.

Price City Mayor Michael Kourianos said meeting our power demand has become harder as more people have moved into the state.

Kourianos said Trump’s initiative would help the state in two ways. It would help Utah meet its energy demands and save us money in the long run.

“The energy … will be abundant with that and so the cost will come down.”

Coal production has sparked environmental concerns, but Kourianos said they’re consistently meeting or exceeding the state’s environmental standards.

And while coal has been linked to various environmental and health issues, Kourianos said they don’t have those problems around their mines. He doesn’t think that will change if they produce more coal.

“Our coal is really good coal. It’s low in sulfur, low in ash and high in BTU. That’s what makes our coal so marketable.”

Utah ranked 14th in the nation for coal production in 2023.

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Price mayor: Trump’s push for more coal production will be good for Utah

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