Coal is in the rise in the first months of the Trump presidency, but renewable energy showing momentum in its own right. File photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI Aug. 9 (UPI) — Coal exports from the United States increased, but are slowing down, while renewable energy is on pace for short-term growth, the federal government reported. The U.S. Energy Information Administration reported coal exports were around 37 million tons total for the first five months of the year, a level that’s 60 percent higher than the same time last year. U.S. President Trump in his first weeks in office took aim at environmental rules he said threatened the coal industry. According to the White House, more than 600 coal mines closed in the six years ending in 2015, production declined by more than 177 million tons and more than 36,000 jobs were lost “without any sign of relief.” On the […]