Progress Energy To Shut Down Coal Plant

Progress Energy will close one of its older coal-fired plants tomorrow.

Officials with the Duke Energy subsidiary say the Lee plant near Goldsboro is one of four coal plants it will retire by the end of next year. The company will replace each of them with natural gas facilities designed to cut back on environmental emissions. Progress Energy spokesman Mike Hughes says it's part of a fleet modernization program begun three years ago.

"Environmental regulations have been evolving over the last couple of decades and the cost of operating coal-fired generation -- particularly on older power plants -- was becoming prohibitive. So this is by far a better option for the future for our customers," continues Hughes.

Hughes says the new natural gas facility should begin operating next year. Duke Energy is doing the same wit