Economic, environmental, and job impacts of increased efficiency in existing coal-fired power plants

Analyses of the CO₂ mitigation potential of increasing the efficiency of existing U.S. coal-fired power plants have indicated that significant CO₂ emissions could be avoided if the efficiency of existing plants could be improved. This report expands the analysis and estimates the potential economic and employment impacts of engaging in an U.S.-wide efficiency improvement program. Specifically, this study: (1) Discusses the factors affecting the operating efficiency of coal-fired power plants; (2) Identifies feasible efficiency improvements to existing coal-fired power plants; (3) Estimates the costs of coal power plant efficiency improvements; (4) Estimates the costs of a widespread coal power plant efficiency improvement (CPPEI) program; (5) Assesses the potential impacts of the CPPEI program, including the annual jobs created by the CPPEI program, the permanent O&M jobs created by the CPPEI program, and the potential occupational impacts; (6) Evaluates the advantages and disadvantages of two CPPEI program options; and (7) Discusses the broader economic and employment implications of the program.