summer months led electric systems across much of the country to increase their use of coal-fired
units.”51
Growth in demand for electricity is expected to be low over the coming decades.52 By itself, this
would ordinarily be expected to reduce new power plant construction, and might prompt some
coal plant owners to consider projects to increase efficiency from existing plants. However, lower
natural gas prices, higher coal prices, slower economic growth, and the implementation of new
environmental rules53 are all expected to play a role in the level of coal plant retirement
decisions.54