AEP to retire fewer coal-fired units than planned
So, announce closures to keep people happy then quietly back-pedal? 
(Reuters) - American Electric Power said it will retire fewer coal-fired plants than it had anticipated last year, as it seeks approval to modify an 800-megawatt (MW) plant instead of shutting it down.
The power company said it plans to retire 11 coal-fueled units with a total power generation capacity of more than 4,600 MW to comply with strict emission norms laid down by the Environmental Protection Agency.
Last year, it had said it would retire 6,000 MW of coal-fired generation to comply with the rules. Rivals FirstEnergy and Duke Energy had also announced major coal closures.
AEP said its new estimate differed from last year's as it has already closed down a 450-MW unit in February and has decided to seek regulatory approval in Kentucky to retrofit the Big Sandy unit 2 with emission control equipment.
More: http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/03/22/americanelectricpowerco-idUSL3E8EM6SU20120322