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WAYNE COUNTY, N.C. — Progress Energy is working to become more modern by retiring coal plants and building natural gas plants, beginning with one in Wayne County.

The plant is scheduled to be finished sometime in 2013. The generating plant is a $900 million facility that Progress Energy officials said will be state-of-the-art. The utility is building another plant like it near Wilmington.

Progress Energy officials said modernization will mean lower costs for the customer and less environmental impact. The project has also created several jobs.

"You may be aware that the construction at this site, there are 800 workers on site right now. That's a significant impact on the local economy. You know, folks eating lunches and living in hotels. So a very significant impact from that standpoint," said Progress Energy spokesperson Dan Oliver.

Progress Energy wants to shut down most of its coal-fired generators by the end of 2013. Unless a facility has environmental controls like scrubbers to remove sulfur dioxide, the coal units will be retired.