In the current geopolitical context, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the energy
consequences are severe for almost all European countries, whether they are EU members or not. A
blind energy policy pursued over the last 20–30 years by most EU countries has led to an over-reliance
on a single source for gas and/or oil: Russia. Moreover, the hasty implementation of measures to shut
down fossil fuel-fired power plants without finding viable alternatives in place has exacerbated this
poisonous dependence on Russian gas sources. As a result, following the new geopolitical framework,
Europe is forced to revert to an old source of energy, coal, at least for a certain period, revise its energy
and environmental policy. Many countries such as Italy, Germany, Poland, the Czech Republic, etc.
have already passed or intend to move to the reopening of coal mines and thermal power plants that use
this source. Poland, which obtains about 75% of its energy from coal, initially set itself the goal of
giving up this resource in 2049, but now this deadline will be “much more” postponed. Germany has
kept its 2030 target for this goal, if all goes well. Considering all this and because Romania is not
independent of the energy viewpoint, we consider that also in this case it is beneficial from the economic
and energy security perspective to keep in operation the coal mines and the thermal power plants that
use this raw material, beyond the horizon of 2050. This can be done by refurbishing mines and thermal
power plants and by implementing efficient management, totally different from what has happened over
the years so far. Only when the so-called clean, “renewable” or other energy sources with a soft
environmental impact can cover the energy deficit can the use of fossil fuels and, especially, coal be
safely abandoned