Saving Energy, Saving Lives
The Health Impacts of Avoiding Power Plant Pollution with Energy Efficiency
We often hear that energy efficiency saves money and creates jobs, but what do we know about its public health benefits?
Physicians for Social Responsibility (PSR) and the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) released a report, “Saving Energy Saving Lives,” that examines the public health benefits and medical cost savings of cutting annual electric consumption by 15 percent. The report also ranks the top beneficiaries among the states and the 50 largest U.S. cities.
A 15 percent nationwide reduction in annual electric consumption means that we would see:
- More than six lives saved each day.
- Up to $20 billion in avoided health harms.
- Nearly 30,000 fewer asthma attacks.