Date of Award
2020
Document Type
Open Access Master's Report
Degree Name
Master of Science in Environmental and Energy Policy (MS)
Administrative Home Department
Department of Social Sciences
Advisor 1
Roman Sidortsov
Committee Member 1
Chelsea L. Schelly
Committee Member 2
Shan Zhou
Abstract
A growing body of research has established the connection between emissions from fossil fuels and severe impacts on human health, such as asthma attacks in children and adults and chronic cardiovascular problems. This work evaluates in monetary terms the implementation of two energy-saving scenarios. Illinois, as a state with high coal electricity generating content, has been chosen as a case study to quantify the impacts brought up by air pollution on public health. The potential benefits of improved air quality and health are the considered results of implemented energy efficiency technologies. This report is a culmination of a summer internship project at the Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance that links emissions, public health, and energy efficiency practices for commercial and residential buildings. Using Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) AVoided Emissions and geneRation Tool (AVERT) and CO-Benefits Risk Assessment (COBRA) tools demonstrates that increased compliance with energy-efficiency portfolio standard (EEPS) by 0.2% will reduce PM2.5 emissions by 8.8 tons. The reduction contributes to an additional 1.2-3.2 million US dollars saved from avoided health impacts.
Recommended Citation
Turegeldin, Azat, "Linking Energy Efficiency and Public Health: A case study of Illinois", Open Access Master's Report, Michigan Technological University, 2020.