What fuels are being considered and why?
Coal, petroleum coke (pet coke) and waste wood. Coal has a domestic reserve of nearly 500 years, far greater than any other practical source of fuel. It is the lowest cost fuel available in large supply, has very reliable delivery options, and with modern technologies can be nearly as clean as the far more expensive natural gas. Petroleum coke has the advantage of producing a greater amount of heat than coal for the same quantity burned, is cheaper than coal, and available quantities are expected to increase. Using the same modern emissions control technologies, pet coke can achieve the same environmental performance as coal. Waste wood is considered environmentally positive because it is usually burned outdoors for disposal purposes, and so by burning it using modern technologies emissions would be drastically reduced. It is readily available as a local resource.
