EIA: Marcellus/Utica Gas Pushes Coal-Fired Plants into Retirement

Some interesting facts and figures from our favorite government agency, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). In 2011 the U.S. had 317.6 gigawatts (GW) of coal-fired electric generation capacity. About 88.7 GW (28%) of that capacity was retired from 2011 to 2020. The primary reason? Marcellus/Utica natural gas. Cheap, abundant, and clean-burning natural gas began to be used in electric generating plants. Another fun fact: Of the 93.5 GW of natural gas capacity built in the U.S. from 2011 to 2020, 14.3 GW (15%) is located in Pennsylvania and Ohio.

---

To view this content, log into your member account. (Not a member? Join Today!)