DOE’s renewed National Coal Council convenes
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) convened the first meeting of the National Coal Council (NCC) on Jan. 15, 2026. This meeting follows U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright’s formal renewal of its charter in June 2025. The council was first established in 1984 and informs coal policy, technology and market considerations. The DOE plans to hold coal workshops to gather industry input and inform Department programs.
In this meeting, leadership of the NCC was appointed and is as follows:
- Kyle Haustveit, Designated Federal Officer, U.S. Department of Energy Assistant Secretary, Hydrocarbons and Geothermal Energy Office
- Joseph Giove, Deputy Designated Federal Officer, U.S. Department of Energy Director of Business Operations, Hydrocarbons and Geothermal Energy Office
- Tom Sarkus, Deputy Designated Federal Officer, Senior Managerial & Technical Advisor, National Energy Technology Laboratory
- James Grech, Chair, President & Chief Executive Officer, Peabody Energy
- Jimmy Brock, Co-Chair, Chairman & CEO, Core Natural Resources, Inc.
“Coal remains a fundamental component of America’s energy strategy, providing essential energy for America’s infrastructure and industries,” said Assistant Secretary for the Office of Hydrocarbons and Geothermal Energy, Kyle Haustveit. “The National Coal Council’s expert recommendations will be instrumental toward our efforts to modernize and extend the life of our existing coal assets while also supporting the growth of new coal power generation, exports, and product manufacturing.”
