US Energy Environment Continues to Favor Natural Gas

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Two articles in today’s NY Times show how cheap natural gas continues to replace coal and nuclear as the preferred power source in the US.   Nuclear power production is more expensive after new regulations imposed since the Fukushima disaster.  Coal production and use, dirtier than natural gas, is now looking for more export opportunities.  But is that the right thing to do?

Nuclear Plants, Old and Uncompetitive, Are Closing   Earlier Than Expected

By MATTHEW L.   WALD

Even reactors still licensed to operate may close, because the price of the electricity they generate doesn’t warrant costly repairs and maintenance.

A Fight Over Coal Exports and the Industry’s Future

By CLIFFORD   KRAUSS

Environmental worries complicate an energy company’s plan to mine an Indian tribe’s large deposit of coal and ship it to Asia.