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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Community impacts of lignite and coal development in Texas: legislative report. Final report

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:5582704

The strong commitment of Texas energy future to lignite will not be without problems. The next 15 to 20 years will witness a marked increase in surface mine and power plant development in the lignite-rich areas of East and East-Central Texas. In the long-term, the growth generated by this industrial activity is expected to provide economic benefits to these areas, but during the early years of intense growth, many communities may experience significant social and economic disruptions. In recognition of these potential community effects, the Texas Energy and Natural Resources Advisory Council (TENRAC) requested Espey, Huston and Associates, Inc. to initiate a study to determine the nature and extent of these impacts and to assess alternative state-level policy responses to them. The study consisted of three interrelated efforts: (1) based upon the best available data on planned lignite projects and current projections of power demand, several lignite development scenarios were constructed. These projections of mine and plant development were then translated into expected employment, the critical determinant of community growth; (2) an analysis of community growth management capabilities under existing Texas law and policies was conducted to assess how well local governments are likely to cope with the effects of growth; and (3) an investigation of alternative laws, programs, and policies was undertaken, based upon the impact management experience in other states and upon an assessment of the opportunities and shortcomings inherent in existing laws and policies in Texas. The results and recommendations based upon these efforts are summarized briefly.

Research Organization:
Espey, Huston and Associates, Inc., Austin, TX (USA)
OSTI ID:
5582704
Report Number(s):
TENRAC/EDF-083; ON: DE84900405
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English