Retiring coal units is not cheapest option, but gas capacity to rise: PNM

摘要

Instead of retiring coal-fired units in the face of tightening environmental regulations, PNM found that it would be less expensive to add pollution-control equipment and new coal ash-handling facilities for its coal-fired units, according to the utility’s new integrated resource plan. PNM plans to meet growing electric demand with a mix of natural gas-fired peaking plants, wind and solar, as well as energy efficiency and load management programs, the utility said in the IRP, filed July 18 with the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission.