Unconventional fuel development in the western United States: Integrated assessment of water resources, carbon, and energy impacts and management strategies

The Western United States contains rich fossil resources including abundant supplies of oil shale that could be used to develop substantial quantities of transportation fuel, enhancing energy security in the United States. Development of these resources poses significant questions regarding water resources, CO2, and other environmental and socio-economic impacts. LANL is developing and applying computer models that simulate the environmental impacts of an oil shale industry in the upper Colorado River basin that will provide decision makers and stakeholders with tools to evaluate alternative development options and associated impacts. Some of the critical questions addressed in this study include: 1) What is the CO2 footprint for different energy development scenarios, and what is the potential for CO2 capture and sequestration? 2) How will water resources be impacted by both energy development and climate change? 3) What are the social and economic implications of different energy development scenarios?