Theses and Dissertations at Montana State University (MSU)
Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://scholarworks.montana.edu/handle/1/733
Browse
2 results
Search Results
Item The effects of RGGI on mortality outcomes(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Agriculture, 2024) Power, Nicholas Markert; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Justin GallagherMost debates around market-based solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions often focus on greenhouse gas emissions reductions and cost-effectiveness. The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) is a cap-and-trade program designed to curb greenhouse gas emissions, and was implemented in 2009 across nine states in the greater New England area. The World Health Organization (WHO) states that over 6.5 million people die from air pollution annually. Particulate Matter of 2.5 microns or less in diameter is a major component in greenhouse gas emissions and has a myriad of deleterious effects to human health. This paper explores whether the RGGI policy had an impact on mortality rates, using a difference-in-differences approach, and estimates reduction in Cardiovascular related mortalities for the age cohort 15-64. I estimate that there are approximately 12 fewer deaths per county effected by the RGGI policy from 2009- 2019.Combined with the 45 counties affected by the policy, there are an estimated 553 fewer cardiovascular related mortalities for the 15-64 age group from 2009-2019 as compared to the counties unaffected by the policy. Robustness checks are run to verify the reliability of this finding.Item Efficient energy modeling : a low carbon source energy assessment of proposed building interconnections based on emerging market modeling tools(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Engineering, 2014) Talbert, Joshua William; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Kevin AmendeBuilding energy consumption studies based on whole building energy consumption modeling (Energy Modeling) are not widely applied for performance planning and assessment. The origins of energy modeling as a design resource extend back almost 50 years, but recent developments in computing power and international attention to green house gas emission reduction has brought the benefits of energy modeling to the forefront of building designers, managers, and policy makers. The research herein provides a two-fold benefit to the Montana State University and energy modeling communities by providing energy assessment information and proving the efficacy of modern energy modeling tools currently under development. The procedure followed in this research proves that effective energy modeling can be completed with a significant reduction in the time resource required by harnessing the new energy modeling tools and methods. The University also gains ownership of valuable assessment tools for future application towards energy upgrades, building maintenance, and capital expenditure decisions. Features employed in this research include photographic based model development, model calibration, and proposed system component assessment. The University, based on its need for information about the carbon footprint of campus buildings, commissioned this research through Facilities Services. Modeling results support an overall reduction of campus building related green house gas emissions and prove that emerging energy modeling tools can significantly reduce the time spent on accurate model development.