Environmental Externalities From Energy Sources: A Review in the Context of Global Climate Change

Abstract

Environmental (or externality> costs, which result from the harm-
ful impacts on the environment of energy production and use, were
given considerable emphasis by a number of State Legislatures in the
United States several years ago. Electricity costs were affected. Then,
for various reasons, the effort to relate environmental and electricity
costs moderated. But the concept now motivates the energy industry
toward much of the recent growing international attention to the
emerging risk of global climate change. This article provides the read-
ers an opportunity to revisit these issues to become aware of what
may, in the near future, influence their strategic energy and environ-
mental plans.