EnergyOnline
Services

RSS FEED

EnergyOnline.com rss

News

EIA Analysis of Southwest Hydropower Generation Shows Record Lows and Slow Recovery

LCG, November 13, 2026--The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) today issued an "In-Brief Analysis" highlighting the record lows for hydropower generation in the Southwest this summer. The prolonged drought conditions affecting the Colorado River Basin caused record low hydropower generation this summer in the Southwestern electricity supply region, which includes Arizona, New Mexico, and small parts of Nevada and California. Hydropower generation from April through August 2026 was a full 28 percent lower than the 10-year average and 19 percent lower than during the same period last year.

Read more

NRC Issues Construction Permit for Long Mott High-Temperature, Gas-Cooled Reactor in Texas

LCG, November 11, 2026--The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) announced on November 9 that it has approved the Construction Permit Application ("CPA") for the Long Mott Generating Station in Texas. Long Mott Energy, LLC (LME) must obtain a separate operating license from the NRC before loading fuel or operating the reactors.

Read more

Industry News

AEP, Bechtel and GE Announce New IGCC Project

LCG, September 30, 2005--American Electric Power (AEP) announced yesterday that it has signed an agreement with GE Energy and Bechtel Corporation to develop the engineering and design process for a new, coal-fired, electric generating plant that employs an Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) design. AEP stated that it expects that this preliminary engineering phase for the 600-MW plant will require 10 to 12 months.

AEP's Ohio operating company filed for cost recovery March 18, 2005, with thePublic Utilities Commission of Ohio to build an IGCC plant in Meigs County, Ohio. AEP Ohio anticipates a decision from the Commission by the end of 2005. Given positive results from this initial phase and from related regulatory activities, AEP stated that operations of the new plant could commence in 2010. AEP plans to build at least one more 600-MW plant that employs the IGCC design in its eastern operating area by 2013.

The IGCC process converts coal into a synthesis gas and minimizes most of thesulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), mercury (Hg) and other emissions before the gas fuels a combustion turbine generator. The hot exhaust gas from the turbine heats water to produce steam to power a steam turbine and generate electricity a second time.

Cost estimates for IGCC plants tend to be somewhat higher than for more traditional supercritical or subcritical pulverized coal plants. However, the improved thermal efficiency and reduced emissions are expected to provide benefits that may out-weigh the higher capital costs over the economic life of the plant. Furthermore, relative to traditional coal plants, the IGCC design is expected to provide for a more cost-effective means to capture carbon dioxide (CO2).

Last October, GE Energy and Bechtel announced their intent to form an alliance to develop a standard commercial offering for optimized IGCC projects in North America. GE Energy has also purchased the ChevronTexaco gasification technology business, whose technology has been applied to a number of IGCC power plants. Last May, GE Energy and Bechtel signed an agreement with AEP to estimate the cost and equipment needs for building a new, 600-MW IGCC plant, with sites identified in Ohio, West Virginia and Kentucky.

Last week, Cinergy/PSI announced similar plans to start preliminary engineering and design of a new, 600-MW IGCC generating station in partnership with Vectren Corporation. The companies also planned to negotiate a contract with GE Energy and Bechtel for the preliminary engineering study. Cinergy and Vectren stated that there are several sites under consideration sites in Indiana. The targeted site is PSI's 160-MW Edwardsport coal-fired generating station near Vincennes.

Copyright © 2026 LCG Consulting. All rights reserved. Terms and Copyright
UPLAN-NPM
The Locational Marginal Price Model (LMP) Network Power Model
Uniform Storage Model
A Battery Simulation Model
UPLAN-ACE
Day Ahead and Real Time Market Simulation
UPLAN-G
The Gas Procurement and Competitive Analysis System
PLATO
Database of Plants, Loads, Assets, Transmission...
CAISO CRR Auctions
Monthly Price and Congestion Forecasting Service