Coal policy and energy economics

Journal Article · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1980 · Energy J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.5547/ISSN0195-6574-EJ-Vol1-No1-8· OSTI ID:5246082

Gordon, R L

Legislative barriers to coal consumption and production are examined to determine how economic analyses can be used to evaluate policy issues. Public policy has discouraged coal use while purporting to support increased reliance on coal. The threat to future energy supplies raises questions about the wisdom of government restrictions on coal. Political posturing is behind most of the attacks on the energy companies, while government interference is the main contributor to barring competition. Policies which rely on government intervention to protect health and safety and to compensate for market imperfections are misguided and based, as in the conservation issue, on a confusion of concerns. Contrary to the coal industry's thinking, regulation is likely to remain excessive and will change the role of coal in the future. Economists see the most crucial need to be energy policies that are flexible and adaptable. 16 references. (DCK)

• Research Organization: Pennsylvania State Univ., University Park
• OSTI ID: 5246082
• Journal Information: Energy J.; (United States), Journal Name: Energy J.; (United States) Vol. 1:1; ISSN ENJOD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
015000 -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Economic
Industrial
& Business Aspects
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290200 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Economics & Sociology
294001* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Coal
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
COAL
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
ECONOMIC IMPACT
ECONOMICS
ENERGY POLICY
ENERGY SOURCES
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
INSTITUTIONAL FACTORS
POLITICAL ASPECTS
REGULATIONS