Power generators must evaluate a range of energy futures

A new study highlighting the near-, mid- and long-term impacts of proposed U.S. federal environment regulations on gas, coal and other power markets, concludes that regulatory complexities and natural gas economics are driving these energy markets into the future.

Credit: Wikimedia Commons/Vbofficial

ICF International's study includes a retirement projection for U.S. coal plants leading up to the compliance date for the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Mercury and Air Toxics Standards rule, which remains steady at around ~60 GW, based on a regulatory portfolio that includes CO2 limits.
As the EPA moves forward with the rulemaking process for its proposed Clean Power Plan and U.S. states consider alternative paths to compliance, expected unit retirements, fuel prices and power prices will shift, according to ICF. Recent CO2 proposals for new power plants (New Source Performance Standard and Existing Source Performance Standard) will further strengthen current market trends favoring natural gas and renewable technologies.

http://www.fierceenergy.com/story/power-generators-must-evaluate-range-energy-futures/2014-10-08