Graduation Year
2023
Document Type
Campus Only Senior Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Arts
Department
Economics
Reader 1
Patrick Van Horn
Reader 2
Bowman Cutter
Rights Information
2023 Daniela Altamirano-Iniestra
Abstract
In this thesis, I explore the relationship between fossil fuel industry specialization and county-level economic outcomes. Using regression analysis, I study this relationship in the coal mining industry and the oil and gas extraction industry. I concentrate on four economic indicators: poverty, income, unemployment, and GDP per capita. I find that a higher relative level of coal mining in 2004 is associated with worse performance in 2020-2021 on two economic indicators, while a higher relative level of oil and gas extraction in 2004 is associated with better performance on three economic indicators in 2020-2021. I interpret this in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and the renewable energy transition.
Recommended Citation
Altamirano Iniestra, Daniela, "Paradox of Plenty: The Role Of Coal Mining & Oil and Gas Extraction in Regional Economic Prosperity" (2023). Scripps Senior Theses. 2115.
https://scholarship.claremont.edu/scripps_theses/2115
This thesis is restricted to the Claremont Colleges current faculty, students, and staff.
