A resolution designating the week beginning on October 19, 2025, as "Coal Week".
- Bill Number
- S.Res. 457
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Environmental Protection
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-10-20: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text: CR S7168)
- Last Updated
- 2026-04-09T13:00:30Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This Senate Resolution (S. Res. 457) aims to honor the coal industry's contributions to energy production, economic stability, military readiness, and historical industrial progress in the United States. It designates a specific week to recognize these efforts while acknowledging advancements in reducing coal-related emissions.
Key Provisions
- Designates the week beginning October 19, 2025, as "Coal Week."
- Commends coal industry workers for their role in providing reliable and affordable baseload power (a steady, continuous energy supply).
- Highlights coal's global and U.S. significance, noting it provided 19.5% of U.S. utility-scale electricity in 2022 and over 36% worldwide.
- Recognizes coal's historical role in the Industrial Revolution (powering steam engines, factories, railways, and ships) and its contributions to modernizing the U.S. Navy.
- Acknowledges ongoing reductions in coal plant emissions through advanced technologies, which improve air quality and public health.
- Congratulates annual progress in emission reductions while emphasizing coal's importance for military readiness, national security, and economic growth (measured by gross domestic product, or GDP, the total value of goods and services produced).
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This is a non-binding resolution with no legal force or effect on existing laws. It introduces no changes, amendments, or enforceable requirements; it serves solely as a symbolic gesture by the Senate.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Minimal direct impact; may indirectly support energy policy discussions within agencies like the Department of Energy or Department of Defense by highlighting coal's role in national security.
- Citizens: Could raise public awareness of coal's energy contributions and emission reduction efforts, potentially influencing perceptions of energy reliability and environmental health, but no tangible effects on daily life or services.
- International Relations: Limited impact, though it underscores U.S. reliance on coal, which might contrast with global pushes for renewable energy transitions in international forums.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Coal Industry Workers and Companies: Directly honored for their hard work and essential role in energy production.
- Energy Consumers and Utilities: Beneficiaries of recognized reliable power sources.
- Military and National Security Entities: Acknowledged for coal's support in readiness and fleet modernization.
- Environmental and Public Health Advocates: Noted positively for emission reduction progress, though the resolution focuses more on coal's benefits than challenges.
- Broader Economy: Includes businesses and communities dependent on coal for jobs and GDP stability, particularly in coal-producing regions.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: As a simple resolution, it requires only a Senate majority vote and does not need House or presidential approval; it has no binding legal authority and cannot enforce actions or allocate funds.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's power to recognize events or industries under its broad legislative discretion, without infringing on executive or judicial branches.
- Political: Signals bipartisan support (introduced by multiple senators from both parties) for the coal sector amid debates on energy transitions, potentially bolstering political advocacy for fossil fuels while balancing environmental nods; it may influence future energy legislation but carries no enforceable weight.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Sen. Lummis, Cynthia M. [R-WY]
Cosponsors (9)
Sen. Hoeven, John [R-ND], Sen. Lee, Mike [R-UT], Sen. Capito, Shelley Moore [R-WV], Sen. Blackburn, Marsha [R-TN], Sen. Sullivan, Dan [R-AK], Sen. Justice, James C. [R-WV], Sen. McConnell, Mitch [R-KY], Sen. Sheehy, Tim [R-MT], Sen. Barrasso, John [R-WY]
Recent Actions
- 2025-10-20: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text: CR S7168)
- 2025-10-20: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Designating the week beginning on October 19, 2025, as Coal Week. — issued 2025-10-20 — PDF (2 pages)