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Energy and acid rain

Journal Article · · Annu. Rev. Energy; (United States)

Acid rain is one of the foremost environmental issues of the 1980s and will be of continuining importance to energy policy for several reasons. First, the pollutants that cause acid rain are projected to increase through the end of the century as the demand for energy grows and as coal replaces oil. Second, many of the effects of acid rain are cumulative, so that even at current levels of emissions the problem is expected to intensify and to spread geographically. Third, the transport of air pollutants across state and national boundaries has raised fundamental issues of equity that are likely to be disputed for some time. Finally, any serious program for reducing acid rain will exert a profound influence on the future development of energy supplies. This review summarizes the causes, effects, and transport of acid rain, and discusses possible strategies for mitigating the problem.

Research Organization:
Interdisciplinary Programs in Health, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
OSTI ID:
6170262
Journal Information:
Annu. Rev. Energy; (United States), Journal Name: Annu. Rev. Energy; (United States) Vol. 9; ISSN AREND
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English