What Are the Likely Air Pollution Impacts of Carbon Capture and Storage?

A-Tier
Journal: Journal of the Association of Environmental and Resource Economists
Year: 2024
Volume: 11
Issue: S1
Pages: S111 - S155

Authors (3)

Andrew R. Waxman (University of Texas-Austin) H. R. Huber-Rodriguez (not in RePEc) Sheila M. Olmstead (not in RePEc)

Score contribution per author:

1.341 = (α=2.01 / 3 authors) × 2.0x A-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

We quantify the potential impacts of carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) on local air pollution in the US Gulf region. We characterize pre-CCUS local air pollution emissions from fossil-fuel electricity generation and large industrial carbon emitters and compare these with projected post-CCUS local air pollution emissions, leveraging carbon capture quotient estimates from the engineering literature. We then analyze net emissions impacts on secondary particulate matter formation and damages via the AP3 integrated air pollution assessment model. An important aspect of the environmental impact of CCUS is increased ammonia emissions from CCUS technology, which we show can lead to net air pollution damages from CCUS deployment at natural gas power plants and most industrial facilities. Taken as a whole, our work suggests that CCUS may pose significant trade-offs between global climate benefits and costs to local communities.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:ucp:jaerec:doi:10.1086/732195
Journal Field
Environment
Author Count
3
Added to Database
2026-01-29