The North Carolina Utilities Commission has approved Progress Energy Carolinas’ plan to build new natural gas-fueled power generation in Wayne County to replace a coal-fired plant that the utility will retire in 2013. Raleigh, N.C.-based Progress Energy’s proposed 950-MW combined-cycle power plant represents an investment of about $900 million. Progress Energy estimates a 24-month building timetable, with construction starting in 2011. The project includes construction of a natural gas pipeline.