Hidden costs of energy : unpriced consequences of energy production and use / Committee on Health, Environmental, and Other External Costs and Benefits of Energy Production and Consumption ; Board on Environmental Studies and Toxicology, Division on Earth and Life Studies ; Board on Energy and Environmental Systems, Division on Engineering and Physical Sciences ; Board on Science, Technology, and Economic Policy, Policy and Global Affairs Division ; National Research Council of the National Academies.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

National Research Council (U.S.). Committee on Health, Environmental, and Other External Costs and Benefits of Energy Production and Consumption, author.

Contributor:

National Research Council (U.S.). Board on Environmental Studies and Toxicology.

National Research Council (U.S.). Board on Energy and Environmental Systems.

National Research Council (U.S.). Board on Science, Technology, and Economic Policy.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Energy industries--Environmental aspects--United States.

Energy industries.

Energy consumption--Environmental aspects--United States.

Energy consumption.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (473 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Washington, District of Columbia : The National Academies Press, 2010.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

Despite the many benefits of energy, most of which are reflected in energy market prices, the production, distribution, and use of energy causes negative effects. Many of these negative effects are not reflected in energy market prices. When market failures like this occur, there may be a case for government interventions in the form of regulations, taxes, fees, tradable permits, or other instruments that will motivate recognition of these external or hidden costs. The Hidden Costs of Energy defines and evaluates key external costs and benefits that are associated with the production, distribution, and use of energy, but are not reflected in market prices. The damage estimates presented are substantial and reflect damages from air pollution associated with electricity generation, motor vehicle transportation, and heat generation. The book also considers other effects not quantified in dollar amounts, such as damages from climate change, effects of some air pollutants such as mercury, and risks to national security. While not a comprehensive guide to policy, this analysis indicates that major initiatives to further reduce other emissions, improve energy efficiency, or shift to a cleaner electricity generating mix could substantially reduce the damages of external effects. A first step in minimizing the adverse consequences of new energy technologies is to better understand these external effects and damages. The Hidden Costs of Energy will therefore be a vital informational tool for government policy makers, scientists, and economists in even the earliest stages of research and development on energy technologies.

Contents:

Introduction

Energy for electricity

Energy for transportation

Energy for heat

Climate change

Infrastructure and security

Overall conclusions and recommendations

References

Abbreviations

Common units and conversions

Appendixes: Biographic information on the committee on health, environmental, and other external costs and benefits of energy production and consumption

A simple diagrammatic example of an externality

Description of APEEP model and its application

Description of Greet and MOBILE6 models and their applications

Supplemental information on land-use externalities from biofuels: a case study of the Boone River watershed.

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references.

Description based on print version record.

ISBN:

9780309155809

0309155800

9780309146418

0309146410

OCLC:

646899449