Analysis of the impacts of alternative coal facilities on three West Virginia counties
Using population and labor force projections, secondary employment multipliers and the most recent census data available, this study has estimated the probable impact of typical coal-fired electric generation plants in three West Virginia counties. The main conclusions are that: (1) Boone, Monongalia, and Wyoming counties can expect continuing natural annual population increases of 2, 1, and 1.5 percent, respectively, through the rest of the century (The differentials in projected growth are almost purely the result of local fertility rates). (2) In any county studied, the total employment increase subsequent to power plant development would be from just under 7,000 new jobs at the construction peak (e.g., Monongalia County) to a long-term addition of 500 to 2100 jobs during the operation period in all counties. (3) None of the counties will experience a large in-migration of population because of new employment at the power plants. In each county the local unemployed labor force is more than sufficient to take all but the most highly specialized jobs. In view of these observations, we can conclude that the siting of new coal-related energy facilities will most likely create a net socioeconomic benefit for each county. In all cases, large portions of the unemployed or underemployed labor force can find work, incomes will rise, and depending on the state's revenue laws, public revenues should increase also. The counties probably will not face drastic increases in public service and facility expenditures. Since most of the future employees currently reside in the respective counties, any increase in service demand would be incremental, and should be within the manageable capabilities of local communities.
- Research Organization:
- Argonne National Lab. (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-31-109-ENG-38
- OSTI ID:
- 6647951
- Report Number(s):
- ANL/EES-TM-13
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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29 ENERGY PLANNING
POLICY AND ECONOMY
FOSSIL-FUEL POWER PLANTS
SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS
SURFACE MINING
COAL MINING
REGIONAL ANALYSIS
WEST VIRGINIA
CENTRAL REGION
INSTITUTIONAL FACTORS
MINING
NORTH AMERICA
POWER PLANTS
THERMAL POWER PLANTS
USA
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