Future Economic Activities Research Articles

Environmental effects of alternative energy developments in the northern great plains

The model used in the study relates the levels of current and future economic and demographic activities to the quantities of residuals discharged into the environment. These quantities can be adjusted based on control technology used. Various scenarios of energy resource (primarily coal) development in the region are investigated and comparisons are made between (1) current activity levels and current controls, (2) current activity levels and expected controls, and (3) various future activity levels and future controls. Key residuals studied are participates, sulfur oxides, biological oxygen demand, and suspended solids. The results of the analysis can be used to evaluate development policies. The various development alternatives can be compared with the present (base) case, and the future case with no additional energy resource development.