Progress Energy said today it plans to build a natural-gas power plant near Wilmington to replace three coal-burning units at the site that are being shut down to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other pollution.
The 600-megawatt plant will cost about $600 million and begin generating electricity in 2014. The Raleigh-based electric utility filed its plan today with state regulators.
The conversion of the Sutton plant near Wilmington from coal to natural gas is part of Progress's plan to close down 11 coal-burning units at four sites in the state as it shifts to greener strategies.

North Carolina's greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere have risen 39 percent since 1990 as the state's appetite for energy has ballooned.

That's according to Environment North Carolina, an advocacy group that helped compile the global warming data from federal government research. Environment North Carolina, based in Raleigh, issued its conclusions today as part of a concerted advocacy effort across the country to issue regional reports on greenhouse gas emissions.

The increase is caused by more cars on the road burning more fuel, and more electricity being generated by the state's coal-burning power plants. Transportation and electricity account for the majority of carbon dioxide emissions that are believed to be the major contributor to global warming.