Beluga coal field development: social effects and management alternatives. [West side of Cook Inlet]

• Main Authors: Olsen, M., Cluett, C., Trimble, J., Brody, S., Howell, C., Leman, L., Svendsen, G.
• Language: unknown
• Published: 2013
• Subjects: 01 COAL; LIGNITE; AND PEAT; ALASKA; COAL DEPOSITS; SURFACE MINING; SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS; COAL MINING; FORECASTING; PLANNING; GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS; INSTITUTIONAL FACTORS; MINING; NORTH AMERICA; PACIFIC NORTHWEST REGION; RESOURCES; USA; Pacific; Beluga; Beluga*; Alaska
• Online Access: http://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/6026397; https://www.osti.gov/biblio/6026397; https://doi.org/10.2172/6026397

Plans are under way to mine the Beluga coal fields on the west side of Cook Inlet. The coal will be strip-mined for export, or to supply local electric generating plants, or both. Over the next 20 years, this coal development activity is likely to generate social and economic impacts at the local, regional, and state levels. The purpose of this study is to assess the potential social and economic effects of coal development, including employment and population growth, regional impacts, and the facility and service needs of a new settlement in the Beluga area. Of special concern is identifying the role of various governmental agencies in the development process. Potential effects on the natural environment are not examined in detail since they are expected to be controlled to acceptable levels through existing Federal and state laws. This report examines three possible levels of coal-field development and the settlement requirements associated with each. The most probable regional impacts associated with this development will include effects on the regional labor force, the market for coal, and the generation and distribution of revenues. The main regional labor force impacts will be positive in nature. The rate of regional unemployment is likely to decline slightly for the duration of the project, with an increase in wage income available for reinvestment in the region and a reduction in the number of individuals receiving unemployment insurance payments. Coal development is not expected to induce any significant inmigration of workers from outside the region.The development of the Beluga coal resources and the production of electricity from coal would add to the Kenai Peninsula Borough's tax base. The assessed value of coal lands around Beluga would likely increase and, in addition, Cook Inlet Region, Inc. would be the recipient of royalties from coal leases. A number of recommendations for research and governmental activities are presented.