How Does COBRA Work?
COBRA contains detailed emission estimates of PM2.5, SO2, NOx, and VOCs for the year 2016, and detailed projections for 2023 and 2028 as developed by the U.S. EPA. Users create their own scenario by specifying increases or decreases to one of the three baseline emission estimates - 2016, 2023, or 2028. Emission changes can be entered at the county, state, or national levels, and outcomes can be modeled nationwide or for smaller geographic areas.
COBRA uses a reduced form air quality model, the Source-Receptor (S–R) Matrix, to estimate the effects of emission changes on ambient PM and ozone.
Using an approach to estimating avoided health impacts and monetized benefits that is generally consistent with EPA practice, the model translates the ambient PM and ozone changes into human health effects and monetizes them.
Users can view the results in tabular or geographic form.