Coal could be more costly in future

According to a July 10 International Herald Tribune article, the price of a coal power plant is shooting up. Duke Energy experienced an 83 percent price increase in just 24 months. In May 2005, Duke Energy estimated it would cost $1,250 per kilowatt to build a pair of coal power plants in North Carolina. By November 2006, the cost estimate was $1,875 per kilowatt, and by May 2007 the company estimated $2,287 per kilowatt.

All of the sudden a 50-megawatt coal power plant in Healy is starting to look very reasonable for $117 million turnkey. A year from now a 50-megawatt plant could cost $165 million.

D.K. "Dan" Lilja

San Diego

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