TY  - RPRT
        AU  - Johnsen, Reid
AU  - LaRiviere, Jacob
AU  - Wolff, Hendrik
        TI  - Estimating Indirect Benefits: Fracking, Coal and Air Pollution
        PY  - 2016/Aug/
        PB  - Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)
        CY  - Bonn
        T2  - IZA Discussion Paper
        IS  - 10170
        UR  - https://www.iza.org/publications/dp10170
        AB  - This paper estimates indirect benefits of improved air quality induced by hydraulic fracturing, or "fracking". The recent increase in natural gas supply led to displacement of coal-fired electricity by cleaner natural gas-fired generation. Using detailed spatial panel data comprising the near universe of US power plants, we find that coal generation decreased by 28%. Further, fracking decreased local air pollution by an average of 4%. We show that benefits vary geographically; air pollution levels decreased by 35% in the most affected region. Back of the envelope calculations imply accumulated health benefits of roughly $17 billion annually.
        KW  - fracking
KW  - coal-fired power plants
KW  - air pollution
KW  - health
KW  - electricity
        ER  -