Air pollution disparities and equality assessments of US national decarbonization strategies

This paper investigates the impact of US national decarbonization strategies on air pollution inequality across vulnerable groups. Using a least-cost optimization model, the study finds that without decarbonization policies, Black and high-poverty communities may experience significantly higher PM2.5 concentrations than the national average. However, national mandates requiring substantial renewable or low-carbon technology deployment (over 80%) achieve air pollution concentration equality across all demographic groups. The study highlights the trade-offs between national emissions reductions and equitable distribution of air pollution benefits, emphasizing the need for strict low-carbon or renewable energy mandates to achieve distributional energy equality.

Teagan Goforth, Destenie Nock