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Policies for Reducing the Impacts of Power Sector Air Pollution on Disadvantaged Americans

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Listed:
  • Robson, Sally

    (Resources for the Future)

  • Russell, Ethan

    (Resources for the Future)

  • Varela Varela, Ana
  • Shawhan, Daniel

    (Resources for the Future)

Abstract

Environmental policymakers in the United States are giving increasing attention to reducing the burden on Americans who face both environmental and economic disadvantages. This study considers an important part of the burden: the concentration of airborne fine particulate matter (PM2.5) due to emissions from the nation’s power sector. Using a highly detailed simulation model of the US power sector paired with a model of PM2.5 formation and dispersion, the study projects some of the environmental and economic effects of nationwide implementation of different policies to reduce power plants’ contributions to PM2.5 in environmentally overburdened, disadvantaged communities (EO DACs). Effects from reduced ground-level ozone also are addressed. Results are compared with a policy that is not geographically targeted—a national price on power sector carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. In addition to the effects on EO DACs, we project the effects for all Americans, Black Americans, Hispanic Americans, Americans in the lowest income quintile, and Americans in highly environmentally burdened (not necessarily disadvantaged) areas. The national power sector CO2 emissions price is the most cost-effective policy for reducing premature mortality from PM2.5 exposure in EO DACs. The other policies, which are geographically targeted toward reducing burdens in EO DACs, have the unintended consequence of increasing PM2.5 exposure in some of those areas.

Suggested Citation

  • Robson, Sally & Russell, Ethan & Varela Varela, Ana & Shawhan, Daniel, 2024. "Policies for Reducing the Impacts of Power Sector Air Pollution on Disadvantaged Americans," RFF Working Paper Series 24-15, Resources for the Future.
    • Handle: RePEc:rff:dpaper:dp-24-15
    as

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    File URL: https://www.rff.org/documents/4597/Working_Paper_24-15_bRCsc3I.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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