Energy agency rejects Trump bid to boost coal, nuclear power

WASHINGTON, Jan 9 (AP): An independent energy agency rejected on Monday a Trump administration plan to bolster coal-fired and nuclear power plants, dealing a blow to President Donald Trump's efforts to boost the struggling coal industry.

The decision by the Republican-controlled Federal Energy Regulatory Commission was unexpected and comes amid repeated promises by Trump to revive coal as the nation's top power source. The industry has been besieged by multiple bankruptcies and a steady loss of market share as natural gas and renewable energy flourish.

The energy commission said in its decision that despite claims by the administration to the contrary, there's no evidence that any past or planned retirements of coal-fired power plants pose a threat to reliability of the nation's electric grid.