Energy project developers have dropped their plans for a coal-fired power plant in southeastern Nevada, opting instead to deploy a combination of solar panels and natural gas turbines.

Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev), Mesquite Mayor Susan Holecheck and Tony James, President and CEO of Blackstone Group, yesterday announced the change. Instead of the 750-megawatt (mW) coal-powered Toquop Energy Project — which was slated for construction near Mesquite, Nevada. — Blackstone’s energy portfolio firm, Sithe Global Power, will instead move forward with a 700-mW gas plant and a 50- to 100-mW solar energy installation.

“This announcement means jobs for Nevada.  I thank Sithe Global for embracing our state’s role as a leader in developing clean energy and making an investment in our state that will help out Nevadans to work and lead us toward energy independence,” Reid said.  “Clean natural gas projects like this will help us use this clean energy source to strengthen our economy while protecting Nevada’s great outdoors.”

According to Reid’s office, the project will cost $1.4 billion and could create as many as 1,000 jobs.

As NYTimes.com relays, Blackstone spokesman Peter Rose said the planned coal plant’s environmental impacts was “probably the single most important factor” in the decision to switch to natural gas and solar. When burned, natural gas releases about half the amount of carbon-dioxide as does coal. It is also a cleaner burning fuel, releasing fewer particulates. After accounting for the energy used during their manufacture, solar panels are a zero-emissions technology.