Increasing Renewable Energy in the US Yields Billions in Benefits

A recent study published in Cell Reports Sustainability has revealed that the United States’ growing use of renewable energy has not only significantly reduced greenhouse gas emissions but also enhanced air quality, resulting in hundreds of billions of dollars in benefits.

The study, which was released on Wednesday, highlights the surge in renewable energy usage in the US from 2019 to 2022, based on publicly available data.

“From 2019 through 2022, wind and solar generation increased by about 55%,” stated Dev Millstein, a scientist at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. “By 2022, wind and solar provided roughly 14% of total electricity needs for the US.”

This transition away from fossil fuels led to a reduction of 900 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions, equivalent to removing 71 million cars from the roads each year. While these climate benefits are substantial, the study also emphasises the significant air quality improvements achieved through renewable energy.

Researchers from the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and the consulting firm Clean Kilowatts quantified the reduction in toxic air emissions, particularly sulphur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx), which are harmful byproducts of fossil fuel combustion. They found that emissions of SO2 and NOx decreased by 1 million metric tons over the three-year period.

To assess the public health impact, the study employed air quality models to track populations exposed to pollution from power plants. Using epidemiological data, the researchers evaluated the effects of these emissions reductions and calculated the benefits using an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) dollar value for reducing the risk of early death across the population.

The study concluded that the reduction in SO2 and NOx emissions provided $249 billion in climate and health benefits to the US. Millstein described this figure as “noteworthy.”

Furthermore, the research explored regional benefits of wind and solar energy. Wind power proved especially advantageous in the Central states due to displaced local power grid emissions, while solar power offered significant benefits in the Carolinas. Jeremiah Johnson, a climate and energy professor at North Carolina State University, praised this aspect of the study.

“These findings can help us target future wind and solar development to provide the greatest climate and health benefits,” said Johnson, whose work is cited in the study.