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Environ Sci Technol

Title:		Emissions implications of future natural gas production and use in the U.S. and in the Rocky Mountain region
Author(s):		McLeod JD; Brinkman GL; Milford JB;
Address:		"Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado at Boulder , Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States"
Journal Title:		Environ Sci Technol
Year:		2014
Volume:		20141031
Issue:		22
Page Number:		13036 - 13044
DOI:		10.1021/es5029537
ISSN/ISBN:		1520-5851 (Electronic) 0013-936X (Linking)
Abstract:		"Enhanced prospects for natural gas production raise questions about the balance of impacts on air quality, as increased emissions from production activities are considered alongside the reductions expected when natural gas is burned in place of other fossil fuels. This study explores how trends in natural gas production over the coming decades might affect emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG), volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) for the United States and its Rocky Mountain region. The MARKAL (MARKet ALlocation) energy system optimization model is used with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's nine-region database to compare scenarios for natural gas supply and demand, constraints on the electricity generation mix, and GHG emissions fees. Through 2050, total energy system GHG emissions show little response to natural gas supply assumptions, due to offsetting changes across sectors. Policy-driven constraints or emissions fees are needed to achieve net reductions. In most scenarios, wind is a less expensive source of new electricity supplies in the Rocky Mountain region than natural gas. U.S. NOx emissions decline in all the scenarios considered. Increased VOC emissions from natural gas production offset part of the anticipated reductions from the transportation sector, especially in the Rocky Mountain region"
Keywords:		"Air Pollutants/*analysis Carbon/analysis Carbon Dioxide/analysis *Ecosystem Electricity Greenhouse Effect Methane/analysis Models, Theoretical Natural Gas/*analysis/economics Nitrogen Oxides/analysis United States Volatile Organic Compounds/analysis;"
Notes:		"MedlineMcLeod, Jeffrey D Brinkman, Gregory L Milford, Jana B eng Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't 2014/10/21 Environ Sci Technol. 2014 Nov 18; 48(22):13036-44. doi: 10.1021/es5029537. Epub 2014 Oct 31"