Economic and environmental impacts of increased coal utilization in Texas under national energy policy
Economic and regulatory forces are encouraging the conversion to coal as a boiler fuel in Texas. The author presents a case study of the issues and experiences involved in major conversions to coal in other states under national energy policy as the result of the Federal Power plant and Industrial Fuel Use Act of 1978. Total coal consumption in Texas has increased from 3 million tons in 1970 to an anticipated 127 million tons in 1985. By 1990, there could be 15 Western coal-fired power plants and 13 lignite-fired plants operating in Texas to generate more than 30,000 megawatts. This will increase total air pollutant emissions 7% for particulates, 70% for sulfur dioxide, and 26% for nitrogen oxides. Pollution control equipment at new plants will cost $8.8 billion by 1985. There will be comparable increases in operating costs and radiation releases, the latter exceeding radiation releases from nuclear plants. 16 references, 6 figures, 5 tables.
- OSTI ID:
- 5874415
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-790405-
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
010900* -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Environmental Aspects
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290300 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Environment
Health
& Safety
294001 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Coal
BOILER FUELS
BROWN COAL
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
COAL
COST
ENERGY SOURCES
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
EQUIPMENT
FEDERAL REGION VI
FOSSIL FUELS
FUEL SUBSTITUTION
FUELS
LAWS
LEGAL INCENTIVES
LIGNITE
MATERIALS
NATIONAL ENERGY ACT
NORTH AMERICA
OPERATING COST
POLLUTION CONTROL EQUIPMENT
POWER PLANT AND INDUSTRIAL FUEL USE ACT
TEXAS
USA