A comparison of energy self-reliance and industrial development using an input-output model

This theses compares the benefits of energy self reliance strategies with the benefits of industrial development strategies to determine which strategies create greater benefits as a method of economic development. A critical factor, which is examined, is the probability of success for industrial development strategies as opposed to the near certain benefits from the self-reliance strategies.

The methodology employs a Virginia input-output model using a regional purchase coefficient technique to regionalize the model for the New River Valley Region of Virginia. The strategies are developed based on two distinct expenditure levels, acting as resource constraints on the strategy selection, in order to compare the return on additional expenditures.