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Title: Environmental linkages in regional econometric impact-analysis models

Thesis/Dissertation ·
OSTI ID:6943912

In this study, environmental-quality factors are linked to an econometric model of the Evansville, Indiana/Kentucky regional economy, which is aplied to coal-based synthetic-fuels-development scenarios. After a review of regional input-output and simultaneous equation models for environmental analysis, the latter approach is shown to offer the most pragmatic tool for integrative regional modeling. An overview of the socio-economic portion of the Evansville Area econometric model is initially given. This is followed by a discussion of numerous methodological issues, including measurement error, functional form, and estimation method. Eight research hypotheses concerning environmental relationships are then presented, which are tested through the econometric estimation process. The model is estimated with pooled time-series, cross-sectional data, allowing for the environmental analysis of coal development projects on local communities in a multi-county, bi-state impact analysis region. Environmental equations estimated in the model include air quality by three major pollution categories, automobile traffic and commuting flows, water use and wastewater treatment, solid waste generation, and population density. Finally, the environmental impacts of alternative coal-development scenarios for the region through 1995 are forecasted, and are seen to be a function of not only the coal projects, but also net migration and population growth, employment in related local industries, per capita income levels, and national variables such as the GNP (in real terms).

OSTI ID:
6943912
Resource Relation:
Other Information: Thesis (Ph. D.)
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English