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Quantifying the Air Quality Impacts of Decarbonization and Distributed Energy Programs in California

Quantifying the Air Quality Impacts of Decarbonization and Distributed Energy Programs in California

Full Title: Quantifying the Air Quality Impacts of Decarbonization and Distributed Energy Programs in California
Author(s): Gabe Mantegna, Aaron Burdick, Snuller Price, Arne Olson, Dr. Michael Mac Kinnon, Dr. Scott Samuelsen
Publisher(s): Energy and Environmental Economics, Inc. (E3), Advanced Power and Energy Program (APEP) at the University of California Irvine
Publication Date: January 7, 2022
Full Text: Download Resource
Description (excerpt):

This report estimates the health benefits associated with reducing air pollutant emissions from fossil fuel combustion. The report finds that eliminating fossil fuel emissions from buildings and transportation, for example through electrification, would yield monetized health benefits of $44 billion per year, based on detailed air quality modeling by UC Irvine, and that eliminating emissions from natural gas generators would yield benefits of $1 billion per year. The benefits are due to improved health and the avoidance of 4,950 premature deaths per year (across all sectors modeled). Much of these benefits would accrue in disadvantaged communities, which have historically borne a disproportionately high share of air quality impacts from energy use.

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