"More U.S. coal-fired power plants could retire due to environmental regulations and weaker-than-expected electric demand, costing the industry up to $144 billion, economists at consultancy Brattle Group said."

"In a new study, Brattle's economists forecast 59,000 to 77,000 megawatts (MW) of coal plant capacity would likely retire over the next five years.

That was about 25,000 MW more than the firm had estimated in 2010, Brattle said in a release. There is about 317,000 MW of coal-fired capacity now in the United States."

Scott DiSavino reports for Reuters October 8, 2012. [2]

SEE ALSO:

"Yes, Coal Is Dying, But No, EPA Is Not the Main Culprit" (Grist) [3]

"Coal War Rages in Presidential Campaigns" (FuelFix) [4]

"Sevier Plant Marks TVA Move Away From Coal" (Utility Products) [5]

"Twice as Many Coal Plants Will Be Closed by 2016 Than We Originally Thought" (TreeHugger) [6]

"Potential Coal Plant Retirements: 2012 Update" (Brattle Group) [7]