Increases In Renewable Energy Has Begun To Show Savings To U.S. Consumers Across The Country
Monday, July 15, 2024, 8:00 A.M. ET. 3 Minute Read, By Elaine Metz, PhD Environmental Sciences, Englebrook Independent News,
MANHATTAN, NY.- New research has revealed and begun to highlight the advantages that renewable energy is bringing to the average U.S. consumer. Researchers from the Lawerence Berkley National Laboratory looked at wind and solar electricity between 2019 and 2022 and found that production increased by about 55% over that period. In 2022 alone, wind and solar provided around 15% of all electricity needs in the United States.
This reduced reliance on fossil fuels has cut carbon dioxide emissions by over 900 tons, the equivalent of taking just around 215 million cars off the road a year.
By accomplishing this, toxic air pollution, such as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide, has been reduced, leading to a reduction in asthma and other related pollution-induced health problems. The displacement of fossil fuels by clean energy has resulted in a combined reduction in emissions of these gases by around 1 million tons over the three-year period.
Researchers calculate that these emissions reductions have resulted in a whopping $249 billion of climate and health benefits across the U.S. Air Quality benefits have also meant an estimated 1400 fewer deaths throughout the country.
Another component of the study highlighted how future wind and solar development can be targeted for optimum climate and health benefits. For example, the production of wind-powered energy will be highest in the central United States, whereas solar energy generation is most reliably produced in the Southern regions of the U.S.
The study highlights the real progress being achieved in the U.S. in clean energy production and the climate, health, and monetary benefits derived from these important changes.
