Regional Science and Energy Policy: A Methodology for the Assessment of Coal Utilization in the Northeast

摘要

A methodology for the assessment of increased coal utilization in the Northeast is presented, resting on an ensemble of energy-economic, siting and environmental quality models. The assessment process is focused on the three major categories of coal-related issues in the Northeastern United States: the air quality and health impacts of coal combustion with emphasis on the inter-regional transport of air pollutants; the issues associated with coal supply given the Northeast's unfavorable geographic location and its declining railroad system; and the regional economic development issues that follow from alternative national coal technology development pathways. In recognition of the many gaps in knowledge that still exist, particularly in regard to pollutant emissions from advanced coal conversion technologies, and dose response functions for health impact assessment, priority is also given to the ability to identify uncertainties and areas where further R and D would most benefit the certainty of subsequent assessment predictions. (ERA citation 03:016561)