NV Energy has postponed its plans to construct a coal-fired power plant in eastern Nevada due to increasing environmental and economic uncertainties surrounding its development.

The company said that it will not move forward with construction of the coal plant until the technologies that will make possible the capture and storage of greenhouse gasses are commercially feasible.

It said that the company still plans to proceed with the construction of a 250-mile transmission line to electrically link northern and southern Nevada and will seek approval from the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada (PUCN) to accelerate its development.

The proposed transmission line, which was part of the company’s original plan for the Ely Energy Center coal plant in White Pine County, will be designed to transport electricity from renewables and other energy production facilities in both northern and southern Nevada.

Michael Yackira, president and CEO of NV Energy, said: We believe the sources of renewable energy, primarily solar, geothermal and wind, that either already exist or most certainly can be developed within our state make it imperative that we press forward on an expedited basis with transmission facilities so that Nevada and its citizens can benefit from these resources as soon as possible.