Basin Electric Power Cooperative

02/16/2026 | News release | Distributed by Public on 02/16/2026 17:10

Brickhouse Represents Basin Electric at White House Executive Order Signing

Todd Brickhouse attends the executive order signing on Feb. 11. | Photo credit: North American Coal

Basin Electric CEO and general manager Todd Brickhouse traveled to Washington D.C. on Feb. 11 at the request of President Trump to attend a signing of an executive order directing the Department of War to prioritize long-term power purchase agreements with American coal plants to ensure military installations and critical defense facilities have uninterrupted, on-demand baseload power.

"Team Basin was represented at the White House alongside colleagues from the Freedom Mine and Western Fuels Association as President Trump signed an executive order and received an award from the National Coal Council," Brickhouse said. "Basin Electric and its partners remain committed to supporting practical energy policies that help ensure reliable and affordable electricity."

According to The White House, the new executive order:

  • Directs the Secretary of War, in coordination with the Secretary of Energy, to approve long-term Power Purchase Agreements or similar contracts with coal-fired energy production facilities to serve Department of War installations and other mission-critical facilities.
  • Priority will be given to projects that enhance grid reliability and blackout prevention, on-site fuel security, and mission assurance for defense and intelligence capabilities.

Brickhouse was recently appointed to the National Coal Council, which advises the U.S. Secretary of Energy on coal-related and broader energy policy issues.

Todd Brickhouse with representatives from the Freedom Mine
Photo credit: North American Coal
Basin Electric Power Cooperative published this content on February 16, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on February 16, 2026 at 23:10 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]