This book deals with two inconsistent myths that persistently surround industrial use of coal. The first myth is that the Clean Air Act precluded the use of coal; the second, that industrial use of coal will expand rapidly as a result of purely economic choices. Through analyzing fuel-use decisions actually made by industry, Mr. Alm concludes that environmental quality standards have played a minor role in industrial choice of fuel. Historically, natural gas and oil have been both less costly and more convenient fuels for ...
Read More
This book deals with two inconsistent myths that persistently surround industrial use of coal. The first myth is that the Clean Air Act precluded the use of coal; the second, that industrial use of coal will expand rapidly as a result of purely economic choices. Through analyzing fuel-use decisions actually made by industry, Mr. Alm concludes that environmental quality standards have played a minor role in industrial choice of fuel. Historically, natural gas and oil have been both less costly and more convenient fuels for industry to use. Coal gained a substantial economic advantage over oil after the oil price increases of the last decade, yet it continues to maintain a lower market share than economics alone would suggest. Mr. Alm demonstrates that coal's share of the fuel market will continue to remain low because of the way U.S. businesses view fuel-use choices. For most U.S. firms, energy costs are a relatively small portion of total costs and a minor factor in a firm's ability to compete. Faced with alternative capital projects to expand production facilities or to make mandatory investments, companies do not generally give high priority to coal conversion projects. Moreover, most U.S. firms have little experience with burning coal, and that lack of expertise creates additional psychological and institutional barriers to coal's use. Finally, there is a tendency to prefer high-payoff, short-term investments over projects that promise cost savings many years in the future. These are all strong reasons for coal's lackluster performance in the industrial market--much more potent forces than environmental regulations.
Read Less
Add this copy of Coal Myths and Environmental Realities: Industrial Fuel to cart. $63.31, new condition, Sold by Booksplease rated 3.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Southport, MERSEYSIDE, UNITED KINGDOM, published 2020 by Routledge.
Add this copy of Coal Myths and Environmental Realities: Industrial Fuel to cart. $195.23, new condition, Sold by Booksplease rated 3.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Southport, MERSEYSIDE, UNITED KINGDOM, published 2019 by Routledge.
