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The article offers information on roundtable conducted on coal-fired power generation in the U.S. including topics like environmental regulations and emission of greenhouse gases; views of Dan Lee, Vice President (VP) of Fossil & Hydro Generation at American Electric Power (AEP) on lack of development in research and development (R&D) sector of coal-fired power generation; and views of Ken Buttery from GE Steam Power Systems on challenges of coal-fired power plants like demand for electricity.

The article looks at the trends of modern wind turbines considering the development of taller towers and cutting-edge technologies in the U.S. Topics discussed include the establishment of tallest wind turbines such as the proposed tower by MidAmerican Energy in Iowa, the development and improvement of the components of blades, and the aspects of wind farming as complex operation which adopt inclusive and syncretic approach to technology.

The article discusses the report from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) which shows that the amount of power produced with natural gas is expected to surpass generation fueled with coal. It estimates that the natural gas will fuel less than half of the power generation in the U.S. by 2016. According to EIA that power sector is the largest consumer of natural gas in the U.S.

The article offers information on the U.S. biomass generation industry. Topics include the informality of the biomass generation market due to the materials used by the industry that are not considered as commodities, challenges to the biomass market including the variability of terrain across the country and its dependence on geography, and technologies used for biomass generation including bubbling fluidized bed technology and stoker technology.

The article presents an interview with U.S. coal-fired power industry executives David Brozek, Rick Halil, and Jacob Williams. Brozek says that coal continues to be a profitable power generation source for owners. According to Halil, the Clean Power Plan will result in an increase in the levels of renewables and natural gas. Williams says that coal plants are affected by various regulations.

The article elaborates on the Section 316(b) of the Clean Water Act (CWA) and informs that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized standards for the section in May 2014. Topics include the section mandating measures that would protect fish and other aquatic wildlife impacted by cooling water intake structures (CWIS). Also mentioned are the impact of the EPA's final rule on the U.S. power generation industry as well as fish-friendly water screens such as Hydrolox screens.

The article discusses the risks and benefits from environmental regulations affecting the power generation industry of the U.S. Topics covered include the aim to cut greenhouse gas emissions as well as the launch of clean air policies. Also mentioned is the aim of financiers and capitals to enhance their investments in energy efficient efforts.

The article talks about an energy mandate adapted by California in October 2013 that requires the state's investor-owned electric utilities to buy 1.3. gigawatt of energy storage capacity by the end of 2020. Topics include the role played by the mandate in accelerating the development of battery energy storage technologies, the emergence of lithium ion batteries as the breakout technology in the sector, and companies positioned to take advantage of the emerging market including ABB.