EPA MATS Rule, Aging Fleet and Natural Gas Prices Drive Coal-Fired Plants into Retirement

SUGAR LAND--March 30, 2016--Researched by Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--More than 80% of the electricity generating capacity that was retired last year in the U.S. was coal-fired, according to an update from the Energy Information Administration published earlier this month. Many of the 2015 retirees were shut down in April last year and more of the same is expected in 2016, especially next month. There are four main factors converging to drive this trend: market forces, fleet age and two regulatory date-driven factors. Within this article: Description of various scenarios that coal-fired power plant operators face as a result of EPA rules.