title: Beyond BAT: selecting optimal combinations of available techniques, with an example from the limestone industry.
abstract: Technological choices are multi-dimensional and thus one needs a multi-dimensional methodology to identify best available techniques. Moreover, in the presence of environmental externalities generated by productive activities, 'best' available techniques should be best from Society's point of view, not only in terms of private interests. In this paper we present a modeling framework based on methodologies appropriate to serve these two purposes, namely linear programming and internalization of external costs. We develop it as an operational decision tool, of interest for both firms and regulators, and we apply it to a plant in the lime industry. We show why, in this context, there is in general not a single best available technique (BAT), but well a best combination of available techniques to be used (BCAT).
authors.affiliation: CORE and Louvain School of Management, Chair Lhoist Berghmans in Environmental Economics and Management, Université catholique de Louvain, Voie du Roman Pays, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium. thierry.brechet@uclouvain.be
authors.forename: Thierry
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bréchet
authors.forename: Henry
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tulkens
mesh_terms: D002119:Calcium Carbonate; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis / Q000379:methods; D003657:Decision Making; D003661:Decision Support Techniques; D007221:Industry / Q000191:economics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D008906:Mining; D008962:Models, Theoretical
chemical_list: D002119:Calcium Carbonate