West Virginia officials and stakeholders in the state’s energy industries issued praise Tuesday for President Donald Trump’s opening moves.

Gov. Patrick Morrisey, Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., and the West Virginia Coal Association all released statements of strong support for the newly inaugurated president’s initial actions on energy policy.

A batch of executive orders signed by Trump on his first day in office will “grow West Virginia’s energy economy, produce good-paying jobs and help the state achieve President Trump’s goal of becoming energy independent and energy dominant,” Morrisey said.

“As America’s energy state, our nation’s energy independence begins right here in West Virginia,” the Republican governor said. “To lead the way, we will partner with President Trump, unleash our full potential and ultimately become energy dominant.”

Executive orders on energy signed by the president include:

  • An order to declare a national energy emergency.
  • An order to direct all federal agencies to suspend, revise, or rescind all Federal policies that restrict American energy production.
  • An order terminating the Biden administration’s harmful electric vehicle mandate.
  • An order to unleash American energy production in order to bring costs down for American families.
  • An order to withdraw from the Paris Climate Treaty.

Morrisey, who received Trump’s endorsement during the 2024 campaign, has said his administration will work closely with the incoming president’s.

“If ever there was an honorary West Virginian, it should be Donald Trump,” he said during his inaugural address.

The West Virginia Coal Association said it’s ready to assist Trump with his vision of making America “energy dominant again.”

The organization looks forward to working with the new administration “to make West Virginia the energy capital of America and the world,” said President Chris Hamilton.

“President Trump has consistently demonstrated his dedication to coal and the hardworking men and women who mine it. His America First energy policies during his first term revitalized the industry, rolling back burdensome regulations, restoring fair treatment of coal in energy markets, and giving our miners the respect they deserve,” he said. “His return to office promises to pick up where he left off, fostering an environment where coal is recognized as a vital national resource rather than an industry to be sidelined.”

Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., also applauded the president’s energy agenda.

“On Day One, President Trump took immediate and meaningful action to reassert American energy dominance,” she said. “After four years of burdensome and costly regulations, I’m thankful that the White House is addressing Americans’ energy concerns by reducing bureaucratic red tape to build needed infrastructure and empower consumers. We must continue to invest in affordable, reliable, and American-made energy, and I’m confident that under President Trump’s leadership, America will get back on track.”