The dramatic rise in natural gas prices has sent many utilities and developers scurrying to wipe the dust from the coal plant blueprints that nel-er made it off the drawing hoard. IE the numerous rumors swirling around the industry; about new coal plants materialize into some firm commitments to proceed, developers will then have an interesting technology choice to make: Should I select a conventional, conservative subcritical steam cycle, or should I take a little risk and opt for a more efficient supercritical design?