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Investigating technical and ecological efficiencies in the electricity generation industry: are there win-win opportunities?

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  • J Sarkis

    (Clark University)

  • J J Cordeiro

    (SUNY Brockport)

Abstract

Using data from the EPA's EGRID and Clean Air Markets databases, we investigate the energy (technical) and emissions (ecological) efficiencies of 437 of the largest US electricity generators. We focus on fossil-fuel-based electricity generating plants because of their significant impact on industry environmental performance, especially with respect to air media emissions. Data envelopment analysis is used to determine the relative technical and environmental performance of these plants and whether win-win opportunities and end-of-pipe versus in-process (reactive versus proactive) practices relate to these efficiencies. The results show that win-win opportunities in terms of simultaneous technical (operational) efficiency and ecological efficiency do not appear to exist.

Suggested Citation

  • J Sarkis & J J Cordeiro, 2009. "Investigating technical and ecological efficiencies in the electricity generation industry: are there win-win opportunities?," Journal of the Operational Research Society, Palgrave Macmillan;The OR Society, vol. 60(9), pages 1160-1172, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:pal:jorsoc:v:60:y:2009:i:9:d:10.1057_palgrave.jors.2602624
    DOI: 10.1057/palgrave.jors.2602624
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    6. Yelin Dai & Yue Liu & Xuhui Ding & Chundu Wu & Yu Chen, 2022. "Environmental Regulation Promotes Eco-Efficiency through Industrial Transfer: Evidence from the Yangtze River Economic Belt in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(16), pages 1-31, August.
    7. Chunguang Bai & Joseph Sarkis, 2013. "Green information technology strategic justification and evaluation," Information Systems Frontiers, Springer, vol. 15(5), pages 831-847, November.

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