Energy Policy Study. Volume 12. Governmental Actions Affecting the Environment and Their Effects on Energy Markets

摘要

The energy/environment tradeoff is described. The relationship between energy production and consumption and environmental pollution is discussed. Data are presented showing some of the pollutants which arise from the production and use of energy. The data indicate that the most severe problems with energy pollution are associated with coal production and consumption. A description is given of the major environmental laws which restrict energy production and uses to protect air, water, land, and life forms. Some of the laws described are: the Clean Air Act, the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act, the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act, the Solid Waste Disposal Act, and the Endangered Species Act. An overview of the energy/environment tradeoff is presented. The environmental laws are most likely to effect energy production and consumption activities which produce large quantities of pollutants or small quantities of toxic and hazardous pollutants. The sections of the environmental laws most likely to have greatest impact upon energy markets are: the new source performance standards, the prevention of significant deterioration requirements, the fossil fuel continuous cleaning requirements, and the motor vehicle emissions standards of the Clean Air Act, as amended; the effluent discharge standards of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as amended; the reclamation and land and water protection features of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act; and the controls for toxic and hazardous substances of the Solid Waste Disposal Act, as amended. Also, as energy prices continue to rise and domestic oil and natural gas supplies continue to decline, the lands withdrawn from energy development will become increasingly valuable as potential sources of energy. Estimates of air and water pollution control costs for energy activities are presented. (ERA citation 05:034140)