PSE Quarterly Newsletter | Spring 2023

PSE Healthy Energy was awarded $1,350,000 by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to study the relationship between climate change, air pollution, heat, humidity, and birth outcomes in California’s Contra Costa County. Over the course of three years, PSE will partner with the University of California, Berkeley to assess disparities in exposure and work with community members to identify targeted solutions to protect public health.

Integrating Public Health, Equity, and Affordability in Maryland Energy Policy

In February, the Institute for Energy and Environmental Research (IEER) and PSE published a new report on energy affordability and policy in Maryland. This report found that about 400,000 Maryland households, and nearly 30 percent of Baltimore residents, pay more than six percent of their income on energy bills. The report outlines strategies to help mitigate the affordability, public health, and climate ramifications of Maryland’s residential energy system.

Disparities in Exposure to California Oil and Gas

In a new peer-reviewed study, researchers from the University of California, Berkeley and PSE evaluated whether certain racial and socioeconomic groups are more likely to live in proximity to oil and gas operations. Given the substantial scientific evidence that exposure to oil and gas development is associated with a range of adverse health outcomes, disparities in exposure may contribute to previously reported health disparities.

Impacts of New Mexico’s Largest Emission Sources 

A team of researchers from PSE and the University of New Mexico published a report that analyzes large stationary sources of climate- and health-damaging air pollutants in New Mexico. The report includes a location-based analysis and provides suggestions for maximizing the public health and climate benefits of state policies.

Developing Climate-Resilient and Sustainable Schools

PSE Senior Scientist Patrick Murphy, PhD, provided analysis as well as a technical appendix for the Climate-Resilient California Schools: A Call to Action report. The report proposes establishing a comprehensive vision and state-level policy and investment framework for developing climate-resilient, sustainable, healthy, and equitable schools. This report was written under the leadership of Stanford University’s Sean N. Parker Center for Allergy and Asthma Research, Center for Innovation in Global Health, and Action Lab for Planetary Health (ALPHA); and the University of California, Berkeley’s Center for Cities + Schools, in collaboration with a diverse group of stakeholders and experts.

Bringing Health and Equity to Integrated Resource Planning in Michigan

In Michigan, PSE scientists provided written testimony on the health and equity impacts of DTE Energy’s Integrated Resources Plan, which outlines how the utility will provide electricity for the next 20 years to 2.3 million customers. Dr. Bilsback’s testimony found that retiring two of the utility’s coal-fired units five years earlier would save 70-150 lives and $780-$1.8 billion in health costs. Dr. Lukanov’s testimony found that targeted clean energy interventions in low-income communities can shrink the total annual energy affordability gap in DTE territory by $300 million within 15 years and save over $1.4 billion in bill assistance by 2050.