Description : Policy changes over the last two decades have dramatically changed the coal and electric utility industries. Many of these changes have led to secondary and environmental impacts which, taken together, affect many communities and individuals but are rarely considered during policy debates. We undertake an analysis of fugitive coal dust emissions during rail transport of coal to illustrate the side effects of public policy and the need for more comprehensive consideration of subjective costs and benefits. The economic and environmental impacts on communities and individuals of one aspect of increased coal usage are measured with non-market valuation techniques.