Converting Coal Plants to Natural Gas

- The article explains the process and economics of converting coal-fired power plants to run on natural gas, a trend that accelerated in the 2010s due to the U.S. shale gas boom. - Key context: natural gas is cheaper and cleaner-burning than coal (half the CO2, virtually no sulfur/mercury), but still a fossil fuel. Converting a plant is faster and cheaper than building a new gas plant, though the boiler must be significantly modified. - The shift has been a major driver of U.S. emissions reductions in the power sector, but also strands coal infrastructure and leaves plants dependent on volatile gas prices. - Relevant history: coal supplied about half of U.S. electricity in the early 2000s; by 2024 it had fallen below 20%. Gas now generates about 40% of U.S. power.