Research Council Finds $62 Billion in External Costs from Coal Generation in 2005, Compared to $740 Million from Gas-Fired Generation

摘要

The National Research Council (NRC) recently reported that "hidden" costs of energy production and consumption totaled an estimated $120 billion in the U.S. in 2005 (the last year data were available). The costs primarily reflect health damages from air pollution associated with electricity generation and motor vehicle transportation. The NRC's report, Hidden Costs of Energy: Unpriced Consequences of Energy Production and Use, requested by Congress, assessed so-called "external effects" caused by various energy sources over their entire life cycle.