Although unenthusiastic about new reactors, they also seemed unwilling to foreclose such a choice at a time when environmental concerns might prevent construction of coal-powered plants.

The Steel Point Station, a coal-powered plant, has not operated since 1983, when it was placed in "deactivated reserve status."

In June 2006 the company proposed building a new type of coal-powered plant on the site for $1.6 billion.

Pennsylvania is especially hard hit by acid rain because it is in a part of the country where coal-powered plants abound.

They also argue that only coal-powered plants could compensate for nuclear power and CO emissions will increase tremendously (with the use of oil and fossils).

And Big Coal may soon have an even bigger share: 22 new coal-powered plants have been proposed just in the last few months.

Yet very few coal-powered electric plants are now under construction.

At the same time, it will modernise its coal-powered plants and will step up its efforts to produce energy from biomass.

These generators, from hydroelectric plants to coal-powered plants, would be grouped into new companies, which would compete among one another for the best customers.

Open-cycle coal-powered plants are generally thought to become economical above 200 megawatts.