WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today U.S. Secretary of Energy Rick Perry and U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross welcomed the announcement from the Government of Ukraine that Ukrainian state-owned power generation company Centrenergo PJSC will purchase American thermal coal ahead of the upcoming winter season.

Statement from U.S. Secretary of Energy Rick Perry:

“In today’s turbulent world, geopolitical turmoil can create uncertainty for nations without access to an abundance of their own natural resources. No one knows this more than Ukraine. In recent years, Kiev and much of Eastern Europe have been reliant on and beholden to Russia to keep the heat on. That changes now. The United States can offer Ukraine an alternative, and today we are pleased to announce that we will. U.S. coal will be a secure and reliable energy source for Centrenergo and its electricity customers. This announcement will also boost our own economy by supporting jobs in the coal and transportation industries. This Administration looks forward to making available even more of our abundant natural resources to allies and partners like Ukraine in the future to promote their own energy security through diversity of supply and source. Partnerships like this are crucial to the path forward to achieve energy dominance.”

Statement from U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross:

“As promised during the campaign, President Trump is unshackling American energy with each day on the job. This has brought enormous benefit to our nation’s coal communities, and will now also benefit an important international partner. Today’s announcement will allow Ukraine to diversify its energy sources ahead of the coming winter, helping bolster a key strategic partner against regional pressures that seek to undermine U.S. interests. In the past, Russia has tried to choke off opposition to its ambitions by restricting the flow of natural gas to its western neighbors. Under President Trump’s leadership, I look forward to working with Secretary Perry and others in industry and government to further expand American exports in support of our goals of keeping this country safe and promoting robust economic growth."

Background

Pennsylvania based Xcoal Energy and Resources won a contract to supply thermal coal to Ukraine’s state-owned power generation company, Centrenergo PJSC.

This partnership formed in response to Ukraine’s desire to diversify its energy supply which has historically been negatively impacted by the volatility of the governments whom they rely on for energy.

The United States provides Ukraine with a secure, reliable, and competitive alternative energy source.

Multiple U.S. government agencies and offices were involved in making this deal a reality including the Department of Energy and the Department of Commerce.

XCoal has stated that it anticipates that shipments of U.S. coal are planned to arrive in Ukraine in late August or early September, just in time to stockpile fuel for the winter heating season.

Note: According to a recent EIA report, U.S. coal exports have increased by nearly 60 percent in the first months of the Trump Administration.

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