The report gives results of an investigation of possible effects of the development of Texas lignite, forecast to the year 2000 and based on a 10- to 20-fold increase of lignite utilization over 1976 levels. Lignite, a low-grade coal, is projected to provide an energy resource estimated to exceed proven oil and gas reserves of the State of Texas. Development of this resource will induce some major ecological, social, and economic effects throughout the entire Gulf Coast region. Secondary attention is given to effects in the other Gulf Coast states. Particular attention is paid to possible sociocultural impacts of development to largely rural communities, air and water quality problems, land use and reclamation practices, and plant siting procedures to lessen adverse effects of mine-mouth energy conversion facilities (lignite is unsuitable for long distance transport). Recommendations are offered for improved state/Federal standard setting, improved forecasting and data collection, and for a regional technology assessment of lignite development in the Gulf Coast states of Arkansas, Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, and Texas.

Prepared by Radian Corporation, Austin, Tex., for U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, under contract no. 68-02-2608, W.A. 6, program element no. EHE624A. Issued Jan. 1978. Includes bibliographical references (p. 211-217).