Fuel Prices for Electricity and Regulatory Uncertainty
Increases in the domestic production of natural gas (primarily due to hydraulic fracturing of gas
shales) are causing a dramatic change in electric power production decisions. A recent decline in
natural gas prices has come with increased production of natural gas, and the resulting decline in
coal consumption for power generation. In April 2012, for the first time in U.S. history, the
amount of electricity generation from natural gas equaled that of coal, according to EIA statistics,
with each representing about 32% of the market.