U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Chris Wright announced on May 22 that coal used in steelmaking has been designated as a critical material. U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith from Virginia expressed his support for the decision.
“I am excited by this announcement from the Department of Energy,” Griffith stated. He emphasized the importance of metallurgical coal to communities involved in coal and steel production, including those in Virginia’s Ninth District. “By designating metallurgical coal as a critical material, the Trump Administration advances the mineral’s status as an important contributor to America’s economy, energy and manufacturing sectors and military preparedness,” he added.
Griffith serves as Co-Chair of the Congressional Coal Caucus and has held leadership roles within the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. This includes chairing the Subcommittee on Oversight & Investigations during the 118th Congress and currently serving as Chair of the Environment Subcommittee in the 119th Congress.
In April 2025, Griffith participated in a White House event where President Trump signed executive orders to boost the American coal industry. The new designation aligns with President Trump’s Executive Order titled “Reinvigorating America’s Beautiful Clean Coal Energy.”
The Energy Act of 2020 defines a “critical material” as one that faces high risks of supply chain disruption and is essential for energy technologies, such as those producing or conserving energy.
The Virginia Department of Energy reports that approximately 80% of coal mined in Virginia is metallurgical coal, predominantly sourced from Virginia’s Ninth District.
