(WSJ 4/11/2012) -Electricity Rates Slide and Coal Feels the Heat as Natural-Gas Prices Plunge. Plummeting natural-gas prices are pushing U.S. industries into virgin terrain, even beginning to dislodge cheap Western coal from its once-untouchable perch as the nation's favorite fuel for power production. On Tuesday, natural-gas futures settled at $2.03 per million British thermal units—just a hint above $2, the lowest price since January 2002.
By RUSSELL GOLD, REBECCA SMITH and DANIEL GILBERT
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