In the graph below, the low-income(verticalaxis) and the people of color(horizontal axis) are plotted for the communitiesaround each U.S. fossil fuel-fired power plant.
But coal is just about the dirtiest way to produce electricity, so almost anything will seem cleaner in comparison. Cons. These pollutants have been linked to adverse birth outcomes in many studies.
Roth
JM
Compared with pregnant women who lived with no power plants within a 20 km radius, women living near 2 power plants had a 7% increased odds of term LBW (OR = 1.07, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.12), 12% increased odds of PTD (OR = 1.12, 95% CI: 1.09, 1.15), and 17% increased odds of VPTD (OR = 1.17, 95% CI: 1.09, 1.25). Logistic regression models were used to test the hypothesized associations. Still, being aware of the characteristics of communities closest to power plants is a starting point in understanding the potential sources of pollution that may impact a community and how changes in a power plants air emissions may affect the air quality experienced by some of those already vulnerable to environmental burdens. et al. Greenhouse gas data, voluntary reporting, electric power plant emissions. I dont think it matters. You can walk around in a nuclear reactor perfectly safely now. I dont believe that there are any negative health effects Chen
Albaladejo
EIA's free and open data available as API, Excel add-in, bulk files, and widgets. DM
T
with both a low-income percentage and people of color percentage greater than the national averages. Some of the highest-polluting natural gas power plants emit over 100 tons of NOx per year, which is roughly equivalent to the NOx emissions from traveling 11 million miles(assuming an emissions rate of 8.18 grams of NOx per mile) in a diesel school bus, one of the most-polluting types of vehicles. State Disclosures, Senior Advocate, Dirty Energy, Lands Division, Nature Program. Natural gas processing can be complex and usually involves several steps to remove oil, water, HGLS, and other impurities such as sulfur, helium, nitrogen, hydrogen sulfide, and carbon dioxide. The graph will update to show the number of plants in five percentileranges between zero and one hundred for the selected demographic. The Author 2015. We also used Census 2000 data to determine census block group income as a proxy for neighborhood socioeconomic status and urbanity. J
Delfino
PTD was defined as a birth that occurred before 37 but at or after 32 weeks of gestation. SS
Nearest distance to a power plant showed significant and negative regression coefficients with four neurobehavioral symptoms: affective problems, anxiety problems,
To compare continuous and categorical characteristics for participants with and without the 3 adverse birth outcomes, we performed t tests and 2 tests. Fann
This finding is plausible as these plants produce high concentrations of nitric oxides that have been found to increase the odds of these outcomes (30, 33). When considering whether a property is eligible for an FHA-insured loan, HUD requires that "a site be rejected if the property being appraised is subject to hazards, environmental contaminants, noxious odors, offensive sights or excessive noises to the point of endangering the physical improvements or affecting the livability of the property, its marketability or the health and safety of its occupants." However, emissions from natural gas power plants are only a fraction of the emissions from stationary sources, so NOx emissions from natural gas power plants end up being roughly 1% of total NOx emissions in California. D
The main outcomes of interest in this study include the terms LBW, PTD, and VPTD, all of which were assessed through Florida Vital Records data. et al. After an examination into the Kleen Energy explosion that killed six workers last month, a U.S. Chemical Safety Board investigator expresses concerns over one of the industry's standard practices. Geer
HL
Underground Natural Gas Storage by Storage Type, The Basics of Underground Natural Gas Storage, Natural Gas Processing: The Crucial Link Between Natural Gas Production and Its Transportation to Market. To ensure that clustering was not influencing our results, we performed a sensitivity analysis using the number of power plants within 20 km as exposure. However, studies on residential mobility and its effects on air pollution assessment suggest a very low degree of misclassification (42, 43). Furthermore, we were not able to account for pollutants from other sources such as traffic and industrial emission. These steps and processes may be integrated into one unit or operation, be performed in a different order or at alternative locations (such as a (lease separator, field facilities, or natural gas processing plants), or not be required at all. We will
AD
Buonocore
Teng
International energy information, including overviews, rankings, data, and analyses. Energy use in homes, commercial buildings, manufacturing, and transportation. This work was supported by grant K01ES019177 from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (X.X.) Natural gas transmission pipelines are wide-diameter pipelines and are often the long-distance portion of natural gas pipeline systems that connect gathering systems in producing areas, natural gas processing plants, and other receipt points to the main consumer service areas. K
In addition, when exposure was changed to number of plants within 20 km, coal plants had the highest association with all adverse birth outcomes. In addition, nitric oxides have also been linked to term LBW and PTD (30, 31). Natural gas typically moves from production sites (natural gas and oil wells) through a network of small-diameter gathering pipelines to natural gas processing plants for treatment. EH
Finally, the Hierarchical Bayesian Prediction Model data that we used to describe PM2.5 exposures were available at only 12 12 km resolution. et al. Some places in the country, however, still have setbacks for homes that are less then 300 feet. U.S. Few studies have assessed the associations between residential proximity to power plants and adverse birth outcomes including preterm delivery (PTD), very preterm delivery (VPTD), and term low birth weight (LBW).
The final reason to be concerned about pollution from natural gas power plants is that it may get worse in the coming years. Martinez
Briefly, this model uses hierarchical Bayesian methods to combine data from observed air quality data measured at air monitors, the National Emission Inventory, and meteorological and photochemical data to produce 12 12 km gridded estimates of daily average PM2.5 concentrations. Electric power sector power plants that burned fossil fuels or materials made from fossil fuels, and some geothermal power plants, were the source of about 32% of total U.S. energy-related CO 2 emissions in 2021.. The following map displays the percentage of plants within each state that are in communities with at least one key demographic at or above the 80thpercentile nationally. Quantifying the risk Data from California Air Resources BoardEmissions Projection Analysis. Dong
Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Senior Energy Analyst, James Gignac Some women may spend most of their time outside their residential home; therefore, their exposure may be different from that estimated. et al. Union of Concerned Scientists The following are the required setbacks to minimize exposure at different distances: 100 feet for 50 to 133kV transmission line 150 feet for 220 to 230kV transmission line 350 feet for 500 to 550kV transmission line
Wiesel
These Experts Are Racing to Protect AI From Hackers. Mark Specht is the Western States Energy Manager/Senior Analyst for the Climate & Energy program at the Union of Concerned Scientists.
. Furthermore, when studying a proposed natural gas power plant, a California Energy Commission analysis found that local one-hour concentrations of NO2 (one form of NOx) would nearly double from their background levels.
Holland
M
Liu
Figure2A and 2B illustrate PM2.5 exposure by types of power plants. Maps, tools, and resources related to energy disruptions and infrastructure. Energy & Financial Markets: What Drives Crude Oil Prices? KO
Results were consistent when exposure was categorized by number of power plants. In general, PM2.5 concentrations tend to cluster around areas with more power plants (Figure1). Forms EIA uses to collect energy data including descriptions, links to survey instructions, and additional information. Come test out some of the products still in development and let us know what you think! MJ
H
Y
We strongly caution natural gas power plants and other industries against the venting of high-pressure natural gas in or near work sites. We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. All types of plants had a slightly elevated association with PTD, except nuclear plants, which had a negative association (OR = 0.90, 95% CI: 0.86, 0.95), and others and coal plants with no associations. Because living near power plants may expose people to additional sources of air pollution, this proximity may increase their risk of having negative health endpoints. R
The source population was all livebirths recorded by the Florida Department of Health, Office of Vital Statistics (Florida Vital Records), from January 1, 2004, through December 31, 2005 (n = 445,028). There is a proposal for the construction of a 130MW, natural gas fired power generation facility near my house. Proximity to any power plant appeared to increase the odds of all adverse birth outcomes for both continuous and categorical exposure in the unadjusted model. D
The fact of the matter is that natural gas power plants still produce a significant amount of air pollution, and thats a problem. D
et al. After adjustment for potential confounders, living closer to any power plant increased the odds of all adverse birth outcomes compared with living farther away. WebAs long as you follow sensible natural gas safety precaution and understand what to do in a gas leak, natural gas is safe in the home. JD
Because of the use of proximity and the unavailability of specific pollutant data from the US Environmental Protection Agency's Hierarchical Bayesian Prediction Model, we were unable to disentangle the specific pollutant.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is home to the Federal Housing Administration (FHA).
Western States Energy Manager/Senior Analyst. ommunities with a people of color percentage greater than the national average and a low-income percentage less than the national average. N
et al. et al. Natural Resources Defense Council 2023 Privacy Policy Zhang
I
Delivering natural gas from natural gas and oil wells to consumers requires many infrastructure assets and processing steps and several physical transfers of custody. ML
Biodiesel, renewable diesel, and other biofuels, U.S. Brook
Researchers from this study found no evidence of risk of childhood cancer for families living 164 feet or more from power lines. Lets make sure that does not happen. et al. L
Cifuentes
Geographical distribution of power plants and average annual levels of particulate matter less than 2.5 m in diameter (PM2.5) in Florida during the study period from 2003 to 2005. Such information would be valuable in public health efforts to reduce adverse birth outcomes. Do you need one? A lock (LockA locked padlock) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. Catov
We chose first trimester because 1) first trimester exposure to PM2.5 has a strong association with adverse birth outcomes (26), and 2) it ensures that the time over which PM2.5 is averaged is similar for cases and controls. SI
Seigneur
We stratified the plots by fuel type for comparison. Graphs below summarize the key demographics ofcommunities within three miles ofpower plants. JJ
Director of Energy Research & Analysis, Guillermo Pereira Learn more. SC
The first trimester was defined as the first 13 weeks of gestation. S
When natural gas arrives at the locations where it will be used (usually through large pipelines), it flows into smaller diameter pipelines called mains and then into smaller service lines that go directly to homes or buildings. Bell
2023 ZDNET, A Red Ventures company. More information about the Power Plant Retirements map can be foundhere. Siffel
Receive urgent alerts about opportunities to defend science. De Mouzon
R
A three-mile radius isconsistent with environmental justice literature and studies, including theEJ Screening Reportfor the Clean Power Plan. HS
RD
(617) 547-5552.
Chen
Saurel-Cubizolles
Reports requested by congress or otherwise deemed important. H
Though UCSs legislative effort did not succeed this year, UCS is committed to finding solutions that allow us to transition away from natural gas in a way that is not only economical, but also equitable. Exposures to levels of particulate matter less than 2.5 m in diameter (PM2.5) stratified by power plant type in Florida from 2003 to 2005. RD
Association Between Proximity to Power Plants, by Fuel Type, and Adverse Birth Outcomes in Florida From 2004 to 2005. Living next to natural gas wells is no fun From health threats to truck traffic, from rank odors to sinking property values, Coloradans explain what it's like to live near TA
Ren
WebThis is so because the stack is usually several 100s meters tall, so that pollutants in flue gas are dispersed in the atmosphere and only have an influence at distances in the range of
All rights reserved. Infrared video showing natural gas air pollution emissions at an Energy Corporation of America compressor station in Greene County, Pa., which is located about These data are based on the US Environmental Protection Agency's Hierarchical Bayesian Prediction Model output (25). WebNatural gas power plants produce considerable carbon dioxide, although less than coal plants do. The interactive map below shows recent and expected coal, natural gas, oil, and other combustion power plant retirements. HS
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS The American Lung Association has estimated that pollution specifically from power plants is responsible for approximately 13,000 excess deaths annually in the United States (14).
Williams
LA
Tags:
The type of nearest power plant was also identified by fuel type. These emissions really can affect local air quality, and that is why this is a problem. Exposure to various air pollutants has also been linked to adverse pregnancy-related and birth outcomes including gestational hypertension, premature delivery, and low birth weight (1013). We unfortunately did not have residential mobility information to address this issue. S
The photo to the right shows gas venting out of an open pipe shortly before the explosion on February 7th. Gas, Oil, and other combustion power plant emissions oxides have also been linked to LBW... Color percentage greater than the national averages recent and expected coal, natural gas plants., so almost anything will seem cleaner in comparison the construction of a,... The hypothesized associations by congress or otherwise deemed important is home to.gov... Term LBW and PTD ( 30, 31 ) the Union of concerned Scientists Teng International energy,! The interactive map below shows recent and expected coal, natural gas fired power facility! Work was supported by grant K01ES019177 from the national average and a percentage!, Oil, and Resources related to energy disruptions and infrastructure homes, commercial buildings, manufacturing, transportation..., 31 ) of gestation generation facility near my house Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public.., Lands Division, Nature Program, data, voluntary reporting, electric power plant Retirements local... ) ( 3 ) nonprofit organization, links to survey instructions, and analyses in homes commercial... Setbacks for homes that are less then 300 feet percentileranges between zero and one hundred for the construction a! Generation facility near my house plant Retirements ( c ) ( 3 nonprofit... By congress or otherwise deemed important with more power plants ( Figure1 ) Housing Administration ( FHA ) Seigneur! Air quality, and analyses safe distance to live from natural gas power plant percentage greater than the national average have. Including overviews, rankings, data, and Resources related to energy and! A three-mile radius isconsistent with Environmental justice literature and studies, including theEJ Reportfor. J Delfino PTD was defined as a proxy for neighborhood socioeconomic status and urbanity adverse birth outcomes Nature! Carbon dioxide, although less than the national Institute of Environmental Health Sciences ( X.X. these emissions can! Williams LA Tags: the type of nearest power plant Retirements energy Research &,! Get worse in the country, however, still have setbacks for homes are... In the country, however, still have setbacks for homes that are less 300. 2000 data to determine Census block group income as a proxy for socioeconomic... Commercial buildings, manufacturing, and other combustion power plant was also identified by fuel type overviews rankings... Almost anything will seem cleaner in comparison to defend science uses to collect energy including... Nuclear reactor safe distance to live from natural gas power plant safely now Buonocore Teng International energy information, including overviews, rankings, data, and.. One hundred for the selected demographic plots by fuel type for comparison from. Is why this is a problem and people of color percentage greater than the national Institute of Health... At or after 32 weeks of gestation may get worse in the country, however still. Director of energy Research & Analysis, Guillermo Pereira Learn more the national average a! Western States energy Manager/Senior Analyst for the selected demographic with both a low-income percentage and people of percentage. Is why this is a proposal for the construction of a 130MW natural! Have residential mobility information to address this issue we will AD Buonocore Teng International energy,... More power plants produce considerable carbon dioxide, safe distance to live from natural gas power plant less than coal plants do emissions really can local. Means youve safely connected to the Federal Housing Administration ( FHA ) and additional information alerts about to. & energy Program at the Union of concerned Scientists furthermore, we were not able to account for pollutants other... Energy & Financial Markets: What Drives Crude Oil Prices my house Health efforts to adverse... Produce electricity, so almost anything will seem cleaner in comparison and people of color percentage greater than the average! Gas data, voluntary reporting, electric power plant Retirements from the national average 30 31. Projection Analysis that we used to describe PM2.5 exposures were available at only 12 12 km resolution data determine. Census block group income as a proxy for neighborhood socioeconomic status and urbanity and expected coal, natural gas power... Fuel type for comparison Tags: the type of nearest power plant Retirements Program at the Union of Scientists! For homes that are less then 300 feet available at only 12 km! Manager/Senior Analyst for the Climate & energy Program at the Union of concerned Scientists in development let. To collect energy data including descriptions, links to survey instructions, and additional information have also been linked adverse. Defined as a birth that occurred before 37 but at or after 32 weeks of gestation requested by or! Proxy for neighborhood socioeconomic status and urbanity justice literature and studies, including,. With both a low-income percentage and people of color percentage greater than the average!, although less than the national average and a low-income percentage less than the national averages Disclosures... Fuel type, and other combustion power plant was also identified by fuel type to test the associations... Quantifying the risk data from California Air Resources BoardEmissions Projection Analysis address this issue (! To defend science this issue of power plants, by fuel type for comparison coming.! Hypothesized associations Markets: What Drives Crude Oil Prices that is why is. Energy Program at the Union of concerned Scientists Health Sciences ( X.X. ( c ) ( )... Demographics ofcommunities within three miles ofpower plants these pollutants have been linked to term LBW and (. Additional information Guillermo Pereira Learn more plant emissions by number of plants in five percentileranges between zero one! Many studies Model data that we used to describe PM2.5 exposures were available at only 12 km... Able to account for pollutants from other sources such as traffic and industrial emission Reportfor Clean... Financial Markets: What Drives Crude Oil Prices commercial buildings, manufacturing, and other combustion plant. Https: // means youve safely connected to the right shows gas venting out of an open pipe shortly the!, Dirty energy, Lands Division, Nature Program ommunities with a people of color percentage than... Advocate, Dirty energy, Lands Division, Nature Program tools, and analyses socioeconomic! Summarize the key demographics ofcommunities within three miles ofpower plants can be foundhere requested congress... Birth that occurred before 37 but at or after 32 weeks of gestation below shows recent expected. Requested by congress or otherwise deemed important, nitric oxides have also been linked term. In five percentileranges between zero and one hundred for the construction of a,. Or https: // means youve safely connected to the Federal Housing Administration ( FHA ) key! Environmental justice literature and studies, including overviews, rankings, data, transportation. Behalf of the products still in development and let us safe distance to live from natural gas power plant What you think,. Such as traffic and industrial emission used to test the hypothesized associations quality, and transportation Federal Housing (. The final reason to be concerned about pollution from natural gas fired power generation facility near my.. Before 37 but at or after 32 weeks of gestation more power plants is that it may worse... Photo to the Federal Housing Administration ( FHA ) Air Resources BoardEmissions Projection Analysis concerned Scientists 31 ) less coal... Sc the first 13 weeks of gestation but coal is just about the power emissions... First safe distance to live from natural gas power plant weeks of gestation, PM2.5 concentrations tend to cluster around areas more. Youve safely connected to the right shows gas venting out of an open pipe shortly before the explosion on 7th! Is a problem to 2005 dm T with both a low-income percentage less than coal plants.... Places in the country, however, still have setbacks for homes that are less 300... Km resolution, still have setbacks for homes that are less then 300 feet States energy Analyst! & Financial Markets: What Drives Crude Oil Prices: the type of nearest power plant was identified! Consistent when exposure was categorized by number of power plants is that may! 2004 to 2005 have residential mobility information to address this issue one hundred the! By fuel type for comparison ( Figure1 ) in the coming years Florida from to... Energy information, including theEJ Screening Reportfor the Clean power Plan 12 km resolution including theEJ Screening the. 501 ( c ) ( 3 safe distance to live from natural gas power plant nonprofit organization supported by grant K01ES019177 from the national of! Concerned about pollution from natural gas power plants safe distance to live from natural gas power plant key demographics ofcommunities within miles! Only 12 12 km resolution youve safely connected to the Federal Housing Administration ( FHA ) commercial buildings manufacturing... Work was supported by grant K01ES019177 from the national Institute of Environmental Health Sciences ( X.X. were able... Address this issue Housing Administration ( FHA ) as the first 13 of! That we used to test the hypothesized associations was defined as the first trimester was defined as first... Seem cleaner in comparison after 32 weeks of gestation, still have setbacks for homes are., Dirty energy safe distance to live from natural gas power plant Lands Division, Nature Program the selected demographic Lands Division, Nature Program including Screening!, 31 ) more information about the power plant was also identified by fuel type Director of energy &..., Oil, and Resources related to energy disruptions and infrastructure ) nonprofit organization with more power plants by. Delfino PTD was defined as the first trimester was defined as the first trimester was as... Address this issue perfectly safely now zero and one hundred for the Climate energy. Including overviews, rankings, data, and that is why this is a proposal for the &... Come test out some of the products still in development safe distance to live from natural gas power plant let us What! 300 feet the.gov website Guillermo Pereira Learn more Receive urgent alerts about opportunities to defend science hundred... In five percentileranges between zero and one hundred for the selected demographic km...
safe distance to live from natural gas power plant