Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall has joined a 23-state coalition urging Interior Secretary Doug Burgum to back the Trump administration's efforts to revitalize the nation's coal industry, calling it essential for energy security, economic stability and global competitiveness.

In a letter led by West Virginia, North Dakota and Wyoming, the coalition voiced support for reopening recently shuttered coal plants and expanding production to meet rising energy demands driven by a growing population, increased use of electric vehicles and the energy needs of data-storage centers and cryptocurrency mining.

"America's energy crisis is real, and we are in a difficult position. Coal is critical for our energy future, and it provides the reliability, baseload capacity and affordable energy necessary to fuel our nation's growth," Marshall said in a statement. "From artificial intelligence to manufacturing, we need coal-fired power to remain globally competitive, support industries like steel and aluminum, and protect our national security. Without coal, we risk losing our technological edge and the prosperity that comes with it. It's time to unleash the power of American coal and ensure energy security for the future of our country."

The coalition's letter commended Burgum's recent remarks that the U.S. must "keep every coal plant open" and "bring … back" plants that have been shut down. It also backed former President Donald Trump's recent authorization for his administration to begin ramping up coal production, calling the move a necessary step to address the country's energy crisis.

"For years, our national energy grid has been under tremendous pressure," the letter stated. "Many factors are pushing energy demand up: a growing population, an increasingly electrified vehicle fleet, exploding use by data-storage centers and crypto mining, and more. Yet the Biden administration aggressively and shortsightedly implemented anti-fossil fuel policies that pushed energy supply down."

The coalition warned that unless action is taken, large portions of the country could face unreliable power grids even under normal conditions, citing projections from the North American Electric Reliability Corporation.

The letter also emphasized coal's role in maintaining America's industrial strength, highlighting its importance for energy-intensive operations in manufacturing sectors such as steel, aluminum, chemicals and automotive production. It further argued that leveraging domestic coal resources would reduce the country's reliance on imported energy.

In addition to Alabama, the coalition includes Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah and Virginia.