Why is it needed?

Over the past five years the demand for electricity has out paced the construction of new generation and older, inefficient plants have closed. Industry experts predict that our usage of electricity will rise by more than 40% over the next 20 years and the required generation capacity will cost over $900 billion dollars to build.

Some analysts predict that the perfect storm is brewing; higher demand for electricity, increased regulations for renewable generation, fewer coal plants because of environmental issues and lower carbon emissions standards (cap & trade legislation); all of which will limit the ability to deliver electricity to customers during the peak demand season.