Resource, Fuel Cost, Total Cost

Coal, 1.0¢, 4.3¢

Natural Gas, 2.0¢, 3.0¢

Renewables, 0.0¢, 3.4¢

Face it: Power plants — of any kind — are expensive. It’s cheaper for Austin Energy to generate electricity in its existing fossil and nuclear plants than to add power from any new source. But when it comes to adding new generating capacity, renewable energy is almost as cheap as natural gas, and a far better bargain than coal. Moreover, since there’s no fuel cost, the price of wind does not fluctuate with the market, and will not go up as a result of tougher emissions standards.

*Costs are estimates of the Austin-based Sustainable Energy Task Force.

This article appears in April 21 • 2000.

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