Droughts reduce hydropower production and heatwaves increase electricity demand, forcing power system operators to rely more on fossil fuel power plants. This study uses California as a case study to simulate emissions from power plants under a 500-year synthetic weather ensemble. It finds that human health damages are highest in hot, dry years, disproportionately impacting counties with a majority of people of color and high pollution burdens. While taxing power plant operations based on health damage contributions significantly reduces average exposure, it's ineffective during severe heat waves due to supply scarcity.

Amir Zeighami, Jordan Kern, Andrew J. Yates, Paige Weber, August A. Bruno